By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Governor Engr. David Umahi, has charged Nigerian youths to shun all forms of social vices and take their destinies in their hands.

He gave the advice on Thursday while gracing an emergency conference of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

The National President of NANS, Comrade Sunday Dayo, had at the occasion announced the endorsement for the 2023 presidency, which he said was informed by the Governor’s modest achievements which cut across all spheres of human existence.

He said Umahi’s emergence will bring more fortunes for Nigerian people, while commending the Governor for his student-friendly policies saying all Nigerian students would rally round him to achieve the target.

Speaking while addressing the Governor, the association president said: “Your Excellency, you have been called the most student-friendly Governor, the National Association of Nigerian Students which has the population of over 41 million students across home and Diaspora have conferred on you the Governor of Nigerian Students.”

Responding, Governor Umahi, who lauded NANS for the choice of Ebonyi State for their conference, expressed happiness for witnessing the event.

While expressing his love for the youth, the Governor charged them to shun all social vices and take their destinies in their hands.

“The truth is that I love the youths; when I see a young man that is doing very well, I feel so much fulfilled, I am so excited by the number of disciplined and well-dressed youths that gathered here.

“When I listened to the Senate President (of the Association) speak, I became more proud about the future of this country, I think you have dwelt so much in the job of follow-follow, it is time to take the future in your hands.”

He said the State Government is also sowing to the prosperity of Ebonyi youths through the King David Gifted Academy which gives gifted Ebonyi children world class training to enable them be self reliant and become employers of labour on graduation.

The Governor noted that his administration was poised to forestall Medical tourism among Nigerians and provide jobs for Ebonyi Youth through the state of the art Ebonyi State College of Medicine Uburu.

“We are building a centre of excellence in the name of College of Medicine. We have a centre where they will do kidney transplant, we have centre for cancer, we have centre for eye treatment and there is what we have that is in nowhere in Africa, it is a Centre that is producing dalyzers, it is not in anywhere in Africa, all these equipment, we have paid for 90% of them.”

He announced that inter school sports competition would soon start across the State as a way of engaging the youths in productive ventures and harnessing budding talents.

“We are starting our famous inter school sports, it is the product of EndSARS protest, it will soon start and so our students are going to be very busy again, you are the one that will be designing the bridges that we ply on, if we do not take proper care of you, how can you take care of us.”

While insisting that the problem of the country was not Mr. President, Governor Umahi charged leaders across the country to be patriotic and take the interest of the youth as a priority.

“What the Government needs to do is to create the environment, I do not give people fish, I teach them how to fish, Ebonyi State have construction sites, the women are working, the youth are working, if you want the nation to develop, build roads, be a gift to the world. If you are such a gift, the world will be looking for you.”

He encouraged the youth to avoid being used for kidnapping, cultism and other Social vices but strive to become useful members of the Society.

“When you partake in killing, killings will flow in your generations for whatever a man soweth he shall reap, we must say no to recklessness,” Umahi stated.

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