Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has urged young people to avoid cultism, criminal activities, truancy, excessive intake of alcohol, smoking and other acts capable of destroying their future.
In a goodwill message on 2021 International Youth day contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the Governor said his administration will continue to place priority on programmes that seek to empower the youths and give them a sense of belonging.
He pointed out that last year’s EndSARS protests brought to the fore, the urgency for greater efforts by government at all levels to address the yearnings of young people.
He said it was in the bid to find viable solutions to the needs and aspirations of young people in the state that his administration organized the 2020 Benue Youth Summit which came up with plausible recommendations.
The Governor assured that recommendations of the Summit will be implemented while more action plans will be evolved to positively engage youths of the state.
Governor Ortom described as timely and suitable, the theme for the 2021 International Youth Day which is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.
He restated his commitment to encouraging youths to take advantage of the numerous initiatives of the present administration in agriculture and entrepreneurship to become self employed and offer opportunities for others.
Furthermore, the Governor reaffirmed the willingness of his administration to sustain the collaboration with the private sector to create jobs for youths of the state.
