· Says Fight Against Corruption Not Real
By Amos Aar, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday advised Nigerian youth not to emulate Nigerian leaders as they have failed because of their negative leadership style.
Governor Ortom, who stated this while interfacing with Benue youth groups at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, to mark this year’s International Youth Day; lamented that the fight against corruption in Nigeria is not real because it is selective and the rule of law is not operational as money meant for medical facilities is embezzled by people who are going about scot free and well-known armed bandits are not apprehended.
To check these vices and impunity in the society, Governor Ortom suggested that the federal government should grant licences to responsible citizens to bear arms such as AK47 to defend themselves against marauding criminals as the state has failed to protect them. He called for legislation give legal backing to possession of arms by citizens.
While lamenting that Nigerian leaders have overtime given the youth wrong orientation, he however apportioned part of the blame to the youth, saying they also failed by mismanaging well-intentioned programmes designed to empower them.
He cautioned the youth against spending valuable time on social media “to insult elders” rather than dedicating it to acquire knowledge and create wealth for themselves. He tasked them to embrace entrepreneurship, pointing out that the world economy is now driven by the private sector as government alone cannot provide adequate jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
He directed his Chief of Staff, commissioners for Youths and Sports, and that of Commence, Trade and Investment to engage the youth and identify those with commitment and good business plans so that the state government could assist them with financial grants to support their businesses.
Speaking earlier, the youth appealed to the government to formulate a policy which will guarantee that only the youth are eligible to be elected as local government councillors. Among other requests by the youth include the allocation of 50% of state-owned tractors to youth farmers, who have the strength to farm, and youth inclusion in governance up to 40% as well as the promotion of sports.
