Parish Priest of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Opobo, Rivers State, Rev. Fr. Pius Awuba, has called on the government to involve the youths in the development process, where they are to be carried along in the scheme of things of government and at all levels.
Speaking with The Tide recently in Port Harcourt, he said youths of today and leaders of tomorrow are left out of the development process, whether government or otherwise, noting that, as far as we are concerned, there is no tangible plans for the youths “ but, I think, it is high time these younger generations were included in the governance of the country for peace to thrive “.
Awuba further said that the youths needs better transformational blueprint and called for the immediate implementation of policies that would create employment for them, as this will discourage them from being in possession of fire arms, as well as social ills of kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, killings, child trafficking and other wayward lifestyles.
According to him, “ it is pathetic to see most of Nigerian youths wallowing in abject poverty, even with their avalanche of degrees and other higher certificates, as government now pays deaf ears to their plight in terms of providing skills training, employment and empowerment. He said when government fails to involve youths in the development mainstream, things will definitely go the wrong way. I suggest therefore, that all the governors and their local council authorities should chart profitable development path for the youths to allow for peace, unity and progress to be sustained.
The God’s servant opted for the creation of youth development centre in the 774 local government area in Nigeria, where they would be empowered to be self-employed to avert the seeming devastation of kidnapping, killing, political thuggery and other crimes due to lack of employment and other encouragements, adding that, “a hungry man is an angry man.”

By: Theresa Frederick