From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Commissioner for Youths Development, Obi Ohia had urged youths to shun the entitlement mentality and embrace self sustainable efforts.
Ohia said rather than especting companies in their domains for empowerment, youths should engaged themselves in meaningful activities and imbibe skills that will make them useful to themselves and contribute to societal development.
Speaking at an event to mark the 2021 international youth day in Port Harcourt, the commissioner explained that Governor Nyesom Wike’s youth-friendly disposition was demonstrated through the provision of agricultural value chain and the stablishment of three campuses of the Rivers State University, outside the city centre aimed at fostering academics pursuits.
He said this year’s theme’Transforming Food Systems: Youth innovation for human and Planetary Health’ was apt, as it has broaden their horizon and exposed them to opportunities that abound in agricultural sector of the economy.
Ohia further said that the online Rivers StateYouth Market portal was on to link and expose them to international oppurtinities for employment, self sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Ohia charged youths to use the day with the knowledge acquired from notable resource persons during the week-long activities marking the youth day to make input and become employers of labour.
“We will unveil a lot of youth entrepreneurship schemes that will take youths out of the streets and make them employers of labour.
“Most importantly, as youths, we must change our attitude and mindset. We must shun entitlement mentality and know that development is important. Youths of Rivers State should cultivate the sense of self sustainability,” he added.
Also speaking, resource persons at the event, the Vice Chancellor Ignatius Ajuru University, Professor Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele dwelt on transforming food systems, youth innovation for human and planetary health.
Advising, Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Okogbule Nlerum, urged the youths to diversify into meaningful ventures rather than take behaviour that could jeopardise their lives and future.
