By Ese Obote-Ogwu
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged youths to be partners in the developmental process of government, through active participation in policy making processes.
Governor Okowa stated this during the thanksgiving service, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Development to commemorate the International Youth Day, at Saint Philips Anglican Church, Asaba.
Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Barry Gbe, commended youth for beginning the week-long celebration with a thanksgiving service which he said, was a brilliant step to tow.
From left) Dr Kingsley Ashibogu, Commissioner Ministry Higher Education, Dr Barry Gbe, Commissioner Ministry of Economic Planning represented the Governor of Delta State, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, Commissioner Ministry of Youth Development, Hon Kelvin Ezenyili, Chairman Oshimili South LG & a Guest, during the thanksgiving service at St. Philips Anglican Church by Min of Youth Development to mark the International Youth Day. (IYD)
According to Governor Okowa, youth should be partners in progress as well as stakeholders, to enable government deliver the dividends of democracy effectively to the citizens.
He encouraged them to put on the right attitude, to enable them deserve what they crave for, saying that their aspirations were good but added: “Aspire with reasonable goals, embrace self-development, if not you will lack self-esteem and be ignorant too.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, stated that the theme for this year’s international youth day “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for all Ages” was apt and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) action was needed from all generations.
Comrade Egwunyenga, also commended Delta youth for their peaceful disposition, saying that they have proven themselves to be innovative and productive.
Also, in his remark, the National Youth Council of Nigeria Chairman (NYCN), Delta State Chapter, Ambassador Kenneth Okorie, encouraged the youths to work in tandem with the older generation, see them as advisers whom they could consult often, the generation after them as well as themselves to achieve the theme of this year’s celebration.
Ambassador Okorie urged the youths to support government policies, get their permanent voters card (PVC), and be actively involved in the electioneering process for them to get the desired change they want.
Earlier, in his sermon, the Vicar of Saint Philips Anglican Church Asaba, The Very Venerable Felix Okonkwo, admonished youths to put on the whole armour of God, to enable them stand firm whenever the whirls of discouragement, frustration, moral laxity, confusion show up, saying that they were used by the Devil to distract people.
Citing the youthful exploits of David in the Bible, he urged the youths to serve God with sincerity of heart, which he said, can make them overcome the present day Goliath of man, which could be spiritual or physical.
Venerable Okonkwo, who took his Bible reading from the Holy book of Ephesians chapter,16 verses 13 to 20 and 1 Samuel chapter 17 verses 40 to 42, urged the youths to shun internet fraud even as he emphasized on the importance of self-development through learning skills and stop the slogan of, “I don’t have a helper.”
Dignitaries at the thanksgiving service include, the wife of the State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, Commissioners, Special Assistants and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, the Chairman Oshimili South Local Government, Hon. Kelvin Ezenyili took the Bible reading.
The highpoint of the event was the Special Thanksgiving by youths, led by the Commissioner for Youth Development.
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