Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chief Emeka George Ikwuagwu, has said that the constitution of the Abia State Youth Parliament by his ministry was to involve youths in governance and make them relevant in the scheme of things.
Speaking when he led a delegation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on a courtesy visit to the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji, the Commissioner pointed out that by engaging the youths in meaningful activities, they would be dissuaded from taking part in negative acts. He described Abia youths as focused and productive but regretted that the recent ENDSARS protest in the state was hijacked by hoodlums which tended to taint the image of the youths.
The Commissioner solicited the support of Abia House of Assembly for the Youth Parliament to succeed by making the House Chambers available to the Youth Parliament who will be sitting periodically.
Chief Ikwuagwu said that Abia was following the emerging trend in other states by setting up the Youth Parliament and explained that there is a national law backing its existence.
Like the state House of Assembly, the Youth Parliament, he said, has 24 members and the principal officers distributed to reflect what is obtainable at the State Assembly.
The commissioner briefed Rt Hon Orji of the plan by his ministry to organise a Youth Summit or Town Hall meeting with Abia youths, saying representatives from the over 800 youth organisations registered with his ministry would be invited to interface with government officials, adding that the recent experience from the ENDSARS protest makes such exercise imperative.
Chief Ikwuagwu also informed the speaker of some of the other programmes of his ministry initiated and tailored to benefit Abia youths. They include the Abia State Female Under 21 inter Local Government Football Competition which kicks off on Friday 13th November 2020 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Governor’s Cup Football Tournament aimed at discovering talents at the grassroots and the Okezie Ikpeazu Pre Season Football Tournament which kicks off on November 15 at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba featuring 12 professional league clubs from across Nigeria and invited the speaker, the House Members and their wives to the various events.
In his response,the speaker commended the commissioner for ably piloting the affairs of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
He assured the Commissioner of the House of Assembly assistance to enable the Youth Parliament achieve its purpose as well as the ministry of Youth and Sports Development to execute its laudable programmes.
On the commissioner’s entourage during the courtesy visit were the House Committee Chairman on Sports,Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, the Chairman of the Governor’s cup Committee,Sir P. C. Mba, Chairman of Okezie Ikpeazu Pre Season Football Tournament,Mr Ugochukwu Anosike Dauda, State Director of Sports, Sir Isaac O Isaac and representatives of the state Youth Parliament.
