Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan
By Oye Chijioke .
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the youths to key into the state government robust Human Capital Development Agenda which apart from educational empowerment of youths for scholarship to first class graduates of Delta State origin, competitive scholarship scheme, bursary awards includes introduction of a course in entrepreneurship in the state own University.
Dr. Uduaghan gave the charge yesterday (12/08/2014) in a message delivered by his deputy, Prof Amos Utuama SAN during the Grand Finale of the 2014 International Youth Week Celebration with theme: “Youth and Mental Health” in Asaba the state capital.
The governor disclosed that the state government is vigorously implementing robust and vibrant youth development and empowerment initiatives aimed at job and wealth creation, skills acquisition, capacity building and the re-orientation of youths to direct their energies to more profitable ventures.
He emphasized that these empowerment programmes includes financial starter packs for beneficiaries, financial pools dedicated to the schemes and the Delta State Micro-Credit programme that offer apprenticeship and allied schemes for youths in the state.
Governor Uduaghan hinted that his administration has so far employed about 18,000 youths to enhance the workforce of ministries, departments and agencies in the state, Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Post Primary Education Board and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the mainstream civil service and parastatals, among others. On the theme of the celebration: Youth and Mental Health, the governor stated that it is a clarion call for us to pay attention to the mental health of our youths stressing that 75 per cent of all severe mental illness stated before the age of 24 stating that at 21 just over half of young people would have experienced a diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
He appealed to youths to avoid hard drugs, crime and other anti-social behaviours as leaders of tomorrow as well as to squarely face their educational career and to invest their energy in meaningful ventures and contribute to national building.
He also called on youths to be conscious of the Ebola Virus and report any suspected case to the appropriate quarter. The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Hope George, stating that the annual event affords the youths the opportunity of taking stock and evacuating the activities of youths in the state said Delta State youths have every reason to rejoice as the activities and progrmmes of Dr. Uduaghan is geared towards empowerment of youths. Highlights of the programme include presentation of Icon of Peace Award to the Deputy Governor and match past by different voluntary organizations in the state including the National Youth Service Corps members.
