The youths of Enugu State through ‘Youth Orientation Network’ YON- a recently launched platform, has expressed their readiness to scrutinise the activities of young persons appointed or elected into public offices in the state.
Through their engagement series; ‘YOUTHOCRACY’ they said they will be interfacing with public office holders where they will tell the people what they’re doing to better their lots in the society.
The Convener and Director General of the network, Comrade Prince-Will Ugwu, said that the focus of YOUTHOCRACY series is to have an accountable platform where young persons, leadership of youth organizations and civil society organizations across the state, critically, diplomatically and constructively engage the government directly on every program they have done for the masses, especially the youths.
“It gives us joy that at last, Enugu youths have become the first in Nigeria to initiate issue-based direct interface with peers and young persons in governance thereby, saying no to the menace of praise singing without merit and embracing public accountability as the only way to ensure that youths in leadership do not become worse than some of the old folks in high places.
“In this Episode 1 of Youthocracy Series, 255 Delegates drawn from 51 Youth, Students and Civil Society Organizations across the state, placed the Enugu SME Center under public scrutiny in order to discuss the theme; in-depth Review of Government Programs, Feedback and improvements towards maximum societal productivity: youth perspectives.
“We thank the Special Adviser to the Governor on SME Development and Investment Promotion, Hon. Arinze Chilo-Offiah who also doubles as the DG of Enugu SME Center, for honoring our invitation to give account of what the Enugu SME Center have been able to achieve so far through thier numerous programs and to address all lingering issues and misconceptions about Some SME Programs.
“We remain grateful and loyal to all Youths, Captains of Industries and Organizations who supported us immensely in cash and kind in order to actualize this goal. The journey to a greater Enugu State has just begun!”
While revealing that the first episode will focus on what the Enugu Small and Medium Enterprises, SME, the Convener stated that the series is a convergence of 255 Delegates from 51 Youths, Students and Civil Society Organizations in the state.
Ugwu also thanked Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for living up to his speech that his second tenure in office will be strictly focused on the Youths.
Speaking to the delegates, Hon. Arinze Chilo-Ofiah, the Special Adviser to Enugu Governor on SME, Development and Investment promotion, urged the youths to empower themselves through skills and start-up small businesses.
Chilo-Offiah stated that Enugu SME Centre has always been committed in assisting small business owners in the state as well as the students to get the necessary intervention and assistance through grants and zero interest loans, and also spoke on the wide range of activities of the centre.
“Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, through the Enugu SME Center has helped over 40,000 skilled youths, women and business start-ups with soft skills, zero interest Human Capital Development Loans grants, access to jobs, rural community enlightenment, Agric interventions and tech skills,” he said.
After over 2 hours intense interaction with Chilo-Offiah and details of his explanation, the delegates unanimously agreed that that the SME is living up to its responsibility.
The gave the Centre a 92% grade based on assessment, and passed a “Vote of Confidence on SME Development and Investment Promotion”.
The 255 Delegates also praised the Agency for its intensive rural community awareness programs, its numerous partnerships with Private Sector as well as incubation of business ideas of the youth through its several initiatives.
