The youths in Imo State have expressed gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodinma for helping them to discover their hidden talents.

They spoke on Thursday when they joined their counterparts all over the world to mark the 2021 International Youth Day in Owerri with the theme: “Transforming Food System: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

The celebration which took place at Imo Youth Centre in Owerri was organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Youth Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).

The event witnessed presentations by Youth Entrepreneurs from Imo State who have made inroads in their chosen areas of interest, particularly in the area of Agriculture, such as cultivation of cucumber, bee farming, production of yoghurt and on local cooking gas manufacturing.

Addressing the youths, the Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma on Youth Affairs, Hon. Eric Uwakwe, said that International Youth Day celebration is a day set aside to recognize the efforts made by youths globally, noting that “the survival of any nation is dependent on the developments of the youths”.

Uwakwe said the day is unique as it centres on youth innovation, saying "as the world is getting global, the youths are expected to be innovative, focused and result oriented."

He reminded the youths that Governor Uzodimma’s administration in Imo State is poised to take the youths out of their shelves “by equipping them with skills that will help them and make them desist from violence, drug abuse, and all forms of vices that will tarnish their image in future.”

He emphasised that the Governor is running a skill-based economy where the people are encouraged to be skillful, and become entrepreneurs who will stay in their comfort zone and create wealth for themselves and even become employers of labour.

“Government has taken it upon itself to encourage those that are doing well,” Uwakwe said.

He therefore charged Imo youths to be creative and not to wait for government to do everything for them, “rather they should cash in on any available opportunity around them to make themselves comfortable.”

Uwakwe thanked Governor Uzodimma for empowering 15,000 Imo youths with N250,000 each and promised the support and solidarity of Imo youths to the Shared Prosperity Administration.

Addressing the youths, the Imo State Commissioner for Works, Barr. Ralph Nwosu, said that he is proud of Imo youths, especially the way they conducted themselves during the #ENDSARS protest and other security challenges in Imo State. He said that “despite the current challenges in the country, the youths can still be what they want to be.”

The Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Imo State Government, Barr. Emeka Agbo, told the youths to look inwards for survival, noting that what you are looking for outside are with them in their homes and their existing environments. He wished them well and promised to assist as many of them are willing to develop themselves.

In his remarks, the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, advised the youths to “imbibe the spirit of positive thinking as the only way to progress in life.”

Nwachuku noted that “Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated true fidelity with the youths in Imo State and will stop at nothing to encourage them realise their full potential in all areas that are genuine,” and encouraged them to shun crime and criminality.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of lectures on various agricultural products as well as the awards to two outstanding Imo youth entrepreneurs – Miss Nwakuba Ezinne and Mr. Obumneme Fidel – for doing the state proud in their areas of endeavour.

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