The Ebonyi State Government has launched a one-week #EndSARS youth summit in Abakaliki, the State capital.
The summit, with the theme: “Youth engagement in national development,” was organised to reposition the youths for the challenges brought about by the aftermath of the nationwide #EndSARS protests as well as facilitate ways for economic and social recovery.
Declaring the summit open at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki on Wednesday, Governor David Umahi explained that the government has set aside the sum of N3 billion #EndSARS empowerment fund for the youths to access for entrepreneurship development.
He added that the State government has entered into partnership with the Bank of Industry to guarantee a loan of up to N1 million for any youth wishing to expand the scope of his business in line with economic recovery agenda of government.
Governor Umahi further admonished the youths to take advantage of the various opportunities provided by his administration to launch themselves into economic limelight, stressing that his administration delights in teaching the youths how to fish rather than giving them crumbs of fishes.
He noted that the technological drive of his administration has given birth to the establishment of the State Vocational College where the young people are given training and engaged in the production of solar power equipments, medical equipments automobiles, among other equipments.
He called on the country’s youths to rise up and take the future in their hands through meaningful engagements with their leaders.
Umahi said: “When you remain grateful to God, God will give you good leaders…
“If you speak good of me, God bless you, and if you speak bad of me, God bless you.
“But I have put my eyes on one thing: the prosperity of the State
“Ninety-nine per cent of the jobs done in this State is by direct labour, and there is no capital flight.
“Ebonyi State has been turned into a construction site.
“This is the definition of my empowerment, probably because I came from the private sector.
“Today we have turned our men and women to become contractors and so the future is very glorious.
“We have set aside N3 billion, which we call EndSARS Empowerment scheme.
“We have opened the website, and we want to empower the youths.
“Application would be made and processed through the banks for a sum between N500,000 and N1 million.
“We are inviting the Bank of Industry so that if any youth wishes to expand his business, the State would guarantee such a loan to the tune of up to N1 million.”
Youth participants in the summit, numbering 1,500, were drawn from the 13 local government areas of the State and from the State-based youth organisations.
Resource persons drawn from across sectors included the President of the Golden Heart Foundation of Nigeria and the Senior Pastor of Dominion City Church, Worldwide, Dr. David Ogbueli; a notable footballer, Kanu Nwankwo; and a renowned Nollywood actor, Zack Orji.
Others included the Vice Chancellor of Coal City University, Prof. Afam Itcha-Ituma, and Prof. Amari Omaka (SAN).
Recall that the summit was one of the recommendations of the youths during negotiations on the #EndSARS protest.
