From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa said the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration are pathways to achieving a better and more progressive country.
Okowa stated this at a youth forum in Asaba after being honoured with Living Legend Award by the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.
He described as unacceptable and retrogressive, the policy of subsidising fuel with borrowed funds by previous administrations.
While commending the bold step taken by the current administration to change the narrative for the survival and economic transformation of the country, the former Delta State governor noted with delight that the benefits of subsidy removal have started to reflect on the huge allocations to federal, state and local governments.
”Salaries are being paid constantly now. Allocations to states and local government councils have increased remarkably. During my tenure as governor, we had to support local governments to pay salaries. But today, they are in a better position to pay salaries and execute projects. But that does not mean that everything is okay yet. There is still a lot of work to be done”, Okowa posited
He urged the local government councils to make judicious use of the huge statutory allocations to them by building public infrastructure, empowering farmers and traders with grants and tools.
He advised youths to engage in productive ventures to secure their future, instead of allowing themselves to be used as political thugs.
Okowa stated that, ”Building youths is not just the job of the government or that of the state or government at the local government level. The youths themselves have to be prepared to be built. They have to be prepared to use the energy in them and their God given talents to work along with government in order to bring a total turnaround of our nation.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani gave assurances that his administration would continue to accord priority to the development of youths through skills acquisition, capacity building and empowerment to make them productive and self reliant.
Speaking to newsmen, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Chief Innocent Esewezie described the award conferred on Okowa as well deserved.
”This is the very first time that we are seeing a former governor that has been so honoured by youths in the state. When you serve well, you will be well recognised”, Esewezie remarked.
The Convener and Delta State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Kenneth Okorie said the event was organised as part of the activities to mark the 2-week long events of the International Youth Day.
The event featured paper presentation on the theme: “Empowering The Youths: Building The Future” by various speakers including the keynote speaker and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Hillary Owama.
