Delta Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., has charged youths to remain peaceful and constructive in their engagement with government.
Sir Onyeme gave the charge on Friday in Asaba at the 2nd Youth Summit of the Progressive Anioma Youth Association (PAYA).
The event witnessed former Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, being decorated as Grand Patron of PAYA.
Deputy Governor Onyeme commended the leadership of PAYA for the initiative, describing it as a worthy undertaking.
He said, “I commend the leadership of PAYA for bringing our young people together to deliberate on issues concerning their future, our communities, and our state.
”I urge you to remain peaceful and constructive in your engagement with government and other stakeholders.
“You may disagree on issues, but disagreement should never become an excuse for division or violence.
”There are people within your communities whom you can reach out to and engage constructively; your voices are important, but how you use those voices is equally important.”
Sir Onyeme, while congratulating Sen. Okowa on his investiture, described the honour as well-deserved, citing the former governor’s “years of service, experience, and contributions to the development of Delta State and Nigeria.”
He also warned against the abuse of information in modern society.
”Our gathering today reminds us of the importance of unity among our people; we must continue to work together as brothers and sisters regardless of our different communities, interests, or political affiliations.
”As young people, you have a very important role to play in shaping the future of Anioma, Delta State, and Nigeria; you must take advantage of every opportunity available to you to acquire knowledge, develop your skills, and contribute positively to society.
”Information has become one of the most powerful tools in our world today; we must learn to use information responsibly; we must not allow misinformation, rumours, or divisive narratives to create unnecessary tension among our people.
”I encourage you to engage people, communicate with them, and listen to their concerns.
“We must also understand that development is not achieved through government alone; individuals, communities, youth organisations, and other stakeholders all have important roles to play.
‘Initiatives such as this summit are important to provide an opportunity for young people to discuss ideas, identify challenges, and develop solutions.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Convener of PAYA, Chief Chinedu Enujekoon, said the association is a socio-political organisation comprising young men and women of Anioma extraction across Delta North Senatorial District, founded to unite the people and serve as a bridge between generations.
According to him, “one of the most important assets a community has is its young people, who are endowed with unique skills, knowledge, strength, and experience that are valuable in bringing tremendous social and economic benefits at the community level, sometimes in unexpected ways.”
Enujekoon disclosed that PAYA has been active across all nine local government areas of Delta North since 2021, when it operated under the name Delta North Youths.
He noted that Sen. Okowa, “as our respected leader and pride of Anioma people,” was nominated as Grand Patron at the first Delta North Youth Senatorial Summit in Asaba in 2022, prior to the formal decoration at the 2nd Summit.
Marking his first assignment in the new role, the Grand Patron, Sen. Okowa, presented an Award of Excellence to Delta State Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme at the event.
The summit, themed “Information Times,” drew young men and women of Anioma extraction from across the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District, with a focus on unity, leadership development, and purposeful engagement.
