Jonathan to Delta youths: With SURE-P, your future is assured

Jobless youths in Delta State have heaved a sigh of relieve following the assurance given by President Goodluck Jonathan that his Subsidy Reinvestment Programme will guarantee them a better future.
Thousands of the youths have been empowered via the programme across the 25 local government areas of the oil rich state since the programme was launched.
The President, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Delta Youth Empowerment Summit, tagged: “Actualizing Generational Change through Self Reliance,” held in Asaba, the state capital, said nothing would derail his administration from carrying the youths along in the schemes of things.
President Jonathan, who was represented as the event by his Senior Special Assistant (Youth and Student Matters), Jude Imagwe, however, urged the youth to position themselves and be disposed to work towards fulfilling their destinies by developing themselves in various skills, which could make them self-reliant.
He said that the Federal Government initiated the SURE-P, significantly, to empower the youth, even as he warned them against taking the programme for granted.
Imagwe also advised youths to contribute their quota to the development of the country by developing their skills in profitable ventures that could make them self-reliant.
While he acknowledged that government only could not provide jobs for the teeming youths of the country, he said the SURE-P is another device not only to engage them in profitable ventures but to make them to be self-employed and reliant.
The presidential aide commended the Delta Youth Frontiers for organizing the summit.
The Delta State Commissioner for Youth, Ebifa Ijomah, stressed the need for the diversification of Nigeria’s economy in order to reduce the country’s reliance on revenue from crude oil exports.
Ijomah warned the youths to resist any attempt to use them to foment trouble, particularly during elections and political campaigns.
Donald Igudia, the Coordinator of DYF, said that the association was established to mobilize youths to participate in nation-building efforts.
The coordinator said that the association is a catalyst to create and awaken the youth consciousness in the state and in the whole country.
Igudia said: “We have decided to work as a formidable force to negotiate with the ruling class concerning our political and economic future.
“I appeal to all in this summit not to leave here without doing something for yourself.
“Let it be known that we have no excuse not to succeed.”
Igudia added that the association would ensure that young enlightened and politically conscious persons were supported into elective offices, harping on the need for youths to be creative and be innovative in their ideas.
He said: “Nothing comes on a platter of gold.”
He hinted that through the summit, the association intends to key into available opportunities offered at the various levels of government to empower the youth.