By Oyem Jonathan
The Executive Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the youth through deliberate policies, programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting empowerment, employment, leadership development and economic inclusion.
Chukwunwike gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Chairman’s Lodge, Ogwashi Uku, while receiving a delegation of aides to the Delta State Governor on New Media, led by Comrade Ossai Ovie Success.
The Council Chairman said his administration recognises the youth as critical stakeholders in the development process and has therefore continued to create opportunities that enable them to acquire relevant skills, participate meaningfully in governance and build sustainable livelihoods.
He urged young people across the state to take greater responsibility for their future by engaging in productive and purposeful activities capable of expanding their opportunities and positioning them for leadership and economic relevance.
According to him, the deliberate inclusion of young people in his administration is anchored on the conviction that effective leadership development must begin with practical opportunities for participation.
He said: “If you check how we operate in Aniocha South, my Vice Chairman, Supervisory Councillors and virtually every other appointee are young people. This is a deliberate leadership strategy designed to groom the leaders of tomorrow and prepare them to become responsible and useful citizens. We are not going to relent in this commitment.”
Chukwunwike further disclosed that his administration had expanded youth participation beyond political appointments by directly engaging them through empowerment initiatives, strategic responsibilities, skills acquisition programmes and other interventions designed to promote economic inclusion and self reliance.
He also challenged the delegation to deploy the immense potential of the new media as an instrument for job creation, wealth generation, investment promotion and the communication of development initiatives.
“I thank you for using the media space to showcase the good works of our amiable Governor, Council Chairmen across Delta State, the APC as our party and other critical stakeholders who are drivers to the realisation of the MORE Agenda of the State Government,” he said.
The Chairman maintained that his administration would continue to invest in human capital as a central component of its development strategy, stressing that sustainable governance must go beyond physical infrastructure to include the deliberate development of people and institutions.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Ossai Ovie Success, said they were in Aniocha South to formally invite the chairman of the council to the forthcoming Delta State Social Media Summit and seek his support towards the successful organisation of the event.
He explained that the summit would provide an important platform for stakeholders in the digital media ecosystem to exchange ideas, strengthen professional capacity and explore the growing role of social media in governance, public communication and development.
Impressed by the developmental projects showcased across the media platforms, the delegation also elected and embarked on an inspection tour of some landmark projects executed by the Chukwunwike administration.
The projects inspected included the Ubulu-Uku Tactical Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Divisional Police Station, Ubulu-Uku, and the Afor Market, Ogwashi-Uku.
The inspection provided members of the delegation an opportunity to obtain firsthand knowledge of the projects and assess their significance to security, economic activity and community development within the council area.
Speaking after the inspection, Comrade Ossai Ovie Success commended Chukwunwike for what he described as the visible strides of his administration, urging the Chairman to sustain the momentum and deepen the legacy of impactful governance in Aniocha South.
In a vote of thanks, the S.A. to the Governor, Comrade Sunny Utuedor, expressed appreciation to Chukwunwike for receiving the delegation and opening his office to them.
Utuedor described the Chairman as a media-friendly and accessible leader, while commending the administration for the visible and impactful projects observed during their visit.
He noted that the projects inspected demonstrated the importance of responsive local governance in addressing the security, economic and infrastructural needs of the people.
