Emma Elekwa
Anambra State Town Unions Council, Youth Wing (ASTUC YOUTH) has inaugurated the 21 local government youth-mayors, three Zonal liaison officers as well as sworn in twelve youth leaders to oversee activities of the youths in their various communities.
The event, witnessed by state executives, former youth-mayors, leaders and community youth executives from some communities, took place at the ASTUC secretariat hall, Government House, Awka.
President General ASTUC youth wing, Comrade Ken Okoli said the inauguration of the newly elected youth leaders was a mandate from the bye-law so as to official welcome them as members of ASTUC YOUTH.
He explained that the swearing-in of the mayors was also constitutional mandate of Mr President who appoints them to represent him at the LGA level and takes charge of the members within the LGA.
According to him, the swearing in of the zonal liaison officers was another strategic effort to consolidate the success of the Council in driving its programmes at the grassroots level.
Community representatives
He said, “You leaders are the representatives of your communities not yourself.
“Keep personal interest away and maintain the status quo expected of you in the discharge of your duties and responsibilities.
“We are here to build bridges that will be beneficial to Anambra youths, let your goals be to build links across, and promote harmonising relationships among communities. “
Comrade Okoli tasked the newly appointed mayors and youth leaders to propagate themselves as Ambassador of peace in their different communities.
According to him, such move would bring everyone together with peace, love and unity for greater Anambra.
Speaking on the unveiling of the mentorship programme, Okoli emphasized that the Career Development Mentorship Programme will train the Mentors who are university graduates with requisite experiences in their areas of specialization.
“This will enable them train the mentees who are yet to experience the struggles of real life, our younger generations.
”The reason behind this Career Development Mentorship training is that we want to raise men and women that will care more about the younger generation towards building a successful career.
2026 target
“Our target this year is to train 10,000 career development mentors that will help to teach career development seminars and provide mentorship service to our youths.
“Apart from the challenges of work, younger people experience challenges of choosing their career, teaching them the right knowledge about their career goals will enable them to make right decisions on their goals and aspirations.
“In Anambra, as leaders of young people we want to provide leadership skills to our younger ones.
“We want to train these 10,000 resource persons that will continue to teach others in their different areas of interest or careers.”
Speaking on behalf of the Mayors, Orumba North Mayor, Comrade Ikechukwu Robison, and Mayor, Oyi Local Govt. Chief Chinedu Nwokedi, thanked the leadership of ASTUC Youth for believing in them and promised to do more, as more responsibilities have been handed over to them to deliver.
They however, assured to execute inclusive leadership, citing that plans are already underway for youth empowerment programmes.
One of the Newly elected youth leader from Eziowelle community, Comrade Bob Francis Nzekwesi expressed happiness over the appointment
Dividends of democracy
He promised to deliver dividends of democracy, promote peace and unity within his community by establishing programmes that would keep the youths busy and out of the streets.
Nzekwesi urged the youths to desist from any form of criminality, cultism, drug abuse and embrace vocational and empowerment programmes that would give them meaningful livelihoods and make them responsible citizens.
The 12 elected youth leaders were from Abetete, Nanka, Eziowelle, Igbariam, Amaokpala, Ukpor, Amaetiti, Omor, Omasi, Umueri, Awgbu and Eziagu communities.
Dignitaries present were one of the pioneer member of the association, Comrade Francis Chibuko from Nteje community, Mr Godwin Ibeabuchi who led the legal proceedings and Youth-Mayor Dunukofia, Comrade Chijioke Egbuna, among others.
