Ikpeazu to sponsor youths to Porto Novo

AWAY from giving free cars and stipends to the youth as empowerment measure, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has announced a new approach, whereby the youth would be sponsored on foreign training programme.

Disclosing this during his meeting with “critical sector groups” at the Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu said the youths desire sustainable empowerment that would start with education and the right environment for businessmen, especially manufacturers.

He said his administration intends to meaningfully engage about 20,000 youths from the state and “will before the end of this year sponsor the first batch of youths to Porto Novo to study integrated agriculture.”

Meanwhile, he said the guideline for all approved taxes in the state would soon be ready, while the Ariaria International Market, Aba, would be upgraded according to its master plan.

He acknowledged the cooperation of Aba residents, noting that a special security strike force comprising the police, military and DSS would soon be launched to address insecurity in the state.