Ikonne promises to build smart Abia for prosperity of youths

• To prioritise rural development

Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Prof. Uche Ikonne, has reiterated his preparedness to building a productive Abia anchored on participatory governance and youth development, saying that youthful energy, skills and potentials are critical ingredients needed to build a smart Abia that will work for all.

Ikonne , who disclosed this while interacting with Abia youths at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, in a programme organised by the state Ministry of Youth Development, to mark 2022 International Youth Day, said his administration will prioritise rural and community development.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a world for all Ages,’ the PDP governorship flag bearer, represented by his running mate, Philips Igwe, identified the family as the first layer of interaction that matters, and called for proper attention to it.

Igwe counselled youths not to allow circumstances of their birth to determine their future, as there are two WHATS that matter, hard work and grit.

He further urged youths to imbibe the value of dignity in labour, with clear understanding that there is no substitute for hard work.

He also said the substance of running participatory governance, with large youth content, is to adequately prepare the nation’s present/future leaders by putting them in a vantage position to harvest experience in effective governance principles, which will lead to industrialisation of the economy and create an Abia that will work for all.

The event, which was declared open by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, was chaired by Abia Central Senatorial District PDP flag bearer, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd).

The Director General and members of Uche Ndi Abia Campaign Organisation, the Executive Chairman Isuikwuato Local Council, Chief Chima Agbaeze, Deputy Chairmen for Umunneochi, Eze Jubilee, Ikwuano, Cokey Lordson, Bende, Promise Okoro, Nkiru Sylvanus, Kalu Ikeagwu, among other dignitaries were present at the event.

In a related development, Ikonne has said that, if elected, his administration will declare rural or community development a priority as statistics have shown that over 80 per cent of Abia’s population live in rural communities with inadequate infrastructure and other indices of development.

“I will increase the level of attention that road construction, education, health, transport, and other critical infrastructure, including other developmental indices, receive in our rural communities and reduce, to the barest minimum, the disparity and lopsidedness in development between the rural and urban areas.

“I will ensure increased skills and capacity, wealth creation, self-discipline, responsibility, and material well-being of people in the rural areas,” Ikonne promised.