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Abia stakeholders canvass better synergy with youths

By Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
27 October 2020   |   3:00 am
Ikpeazu declares today a holiday for the cleanup exercise Stakeholders in Abia State, yesterday, canvassed greater synergy with youth in all communities and all tiers of government in the state and the entire country. They stated this after their meeting in Umuahia, insisting that recent events in the country warranted closer collaboration with the youth…

Ikpeazu declares today a holiday for the cleanup exercise

Stakeholders in Abia State, yesterday, canvassed greater synergy with youth in all communities and all tiers of government in the state and the entire country.

They stated this after their meeting in Umuahia, insisting that recent events in the country warranted closer collaboration with the youth to empower them with a view to averting further restiveness.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who declared the meeting open, said the essence of the conference was to discuss what needed to be done to maintain peace in the state.

At the meeting, which was also aimed at deepening the government’s commitment to the youth demands with regard to the #EndSARS protests, it was also resolved that regular town hall meetings should be convened at all levels to continually feel the people’s pulse.

Participants drawn from all walks of life, endorsed a non-negotiable need for peace and unity in the state and the entire country while acknowledging the legitimate rights of the youth to peaceful protests.

They, however, condemned the protests, which eventually degenerated into breakdown of law and order, and consequently mandated themselves to return to their communities and dialogue with the youth on the need for peace and unity in the country.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, they stated the need to strengthen the current drive for sustainable empowerment of the youth, but condemned the destruction of private and public property, warning the youth against engaging in such acts in the future.

As a way of finding ways to better engage the youths, they advocated the setting up of agro-allied medium scale industries to absorb the unemployed youth.

They commended Governor Ikpeazu and security agencies for the proactive steps so far taken to keep the state safe.

The stakeholders also applauded the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchenna Ogah, for interfacing with the governor in convening the meeting and urged all participants to work together for the overall good of the state.

MEANWHILE, Ikpeazu declared today a public holiday directing that the day should be used for general cleaning of debris resulting from destruction of property and infrastructure during the #EndSARS protests.

Chief of Staff (COS) to the governor, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, who made the announcement on behalf of the state government, explained that during the exercise that would hold between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. residents should come out with brooms, packers and bin bags and join in the cleanup exercise.

While the State Environmental Protection Agency’s (ASEPA) offices in Aba and Umuahia were designated as takeoff points, all ASEPA officers were directed to mobilise and deploy equipment for a successful exercise.

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