LIBYA RETURNEES: WHAT ABIA IS DOING DIFFERENTLY

#LookAbia
A couple of months ago, the media was flooded with horrible headlines like, “LIBYA RETURNEES TELL TALES OF HELL”, “WE DRANK URINE, FUEL TO SURVIVE “, “RETURNEES: WE SAW HELL IN LIBYA”, ” DRESSED LIKE A MADMAN TO EVADE ARREST” – all in connection with the terrible and hash experience our brothers and sisters who were rescued from Libya underwent. However, for sometime now not much is being heard of what have become of those returnees. What are our governments doing to assist them? Are our wealthy politicians doing something for those vulnerable one, or are they sniffing and scanning for unscrupulous elements to be used against the wish of the masses come 2019 elections? Well in Abia, there is a revolution going on.
One of the characteristics of good and dedicated leaders is to care for one’s subjects or followers. This is one of the characters of the Abia States Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D.
In line with his oath of office to do good to his good people of Abia State, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has not relented in living up to expectations of the people that voted him into power. Apart from the quality infrastructure he is building, his style of agrarian policy as well as his strategic narrative changing of the Aba artisans through promotion of Made-in-Aba products, the Governor has ensured the promotion of Small & Medium-Scale Enterprise. Hence, the Governor has established multiple skill acquisition centre in the State. This centre trains youths in various skills, including modern brick laying and building, modern carpentering, fabrics making among others.
Following the recent repatriation of, about 20 Abia State indigenes by the government of Libya, Governor Ikpeazu swung into action to ensure the returnees do not waste. The Governor has decided to train the returnees in various skills to empower them for life. So far, these youths have been inducted, and they are currently undergoing series of trainings at the multiple Skills Acquisition Centre.
Interestingly too, the Chinese government has indicated interest to support Governor Ikpeazu in his decision to create jobs for the teaming Abia youths. Of course,Governor Ikpeazu’s vision to empower Abia youths through skill acquisition is very much commendable. With the skills of these young people and the assurances of the Governor these returnees can fend for themselves and contribute to the development of the State and unemployment would become a history in the State, even as those who hitherto were dreaming of leaving the country for foreign lands may stop such dreams, since Ikpeazu has restored their hope in Abia State.
Apart from giving great hope to the repatriated youths, who are now empowered for life, the Governor is returning the people’s confidence in the ‘can-do spirit’ do spirit’ of the Igbo man.
Indeed, Abia State government under the able leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is gradually growing the economy of the State. This is not farfetched, as these youths are graduating, they will start producing modern fabrics and furniture works as well as engage in state of the art building processes, the State skilled workers would be sought for in all parts of the country, Nigeria. The Governor has always assured graduates of this skill acquisition centre of government patronage in contracts and connections.
The Abia State Commissioner for Special Duties, Vulnerable Women, Mrs. Precious Achumba and her team, the Education for Employment Coordinator/CEO Kiara De-Luck Academy, Mr. Endi Ezengwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation, Mr. Chinenye Nwaogu, and the Chairman Kiara De-Luck Academy, the manager of the multiple skills acquisition centres, all deserve commendation for their efforts in bringing the Governor’s dreams to reality in that regard.
There is therefore, an increasing need for all to join hands to support this genuine effort of the Governor in changing the narrative of empowerment in Abia. In addition, Abia people should not allow themselves to be deceived by unscrupulous politicians, who do not mean well for the State but remain resolute in the leadership of Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D till 2023.
Ubani Newman Ubani,
Senior Special Assistant,
(New Media).
20/06/2018.
#AbiaOnline