IYD: Gov Ortom urges Nigerian youths to shun cultism, criminal activities

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on Nigerian youths to shun cultism, criminal activities, truancy, excessive intake of alcohol, smoking and other acts capable of destroying their future.

Ortom gave the advice on Thursday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase to mark the 2021 International Youth Day.

According to the statement, Governor Ortom revealed that his administration will continue to place priority on programmes that seek to empower the youths and give them a sense of belonging.

He noted that the last year’s EndSARS protests brought to the fore, the urgency for greater efforts by government at all levels to address the yearnings of young people in the country.

Ortom said it was in the bid to find viable solutions to the needs and aspirations of young people in the state that his administration organized the 2020 Benue Youth Summit which came up with plausible recommendations.

The Governor gave assurance that recommendations of the Summit will be implemented while more action plans are being evolved to positively engage youths of the state.

Governor Ortom described as timely and suitable, the theme for the 2021 International Youth Day which is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

He restated his commitment to encouraging youths to take advantage of the numerous initiatives of the present administration in agriculture and entrepreneurship to become self employed and offer opportunities for others.

The Governor reaffirmed the willingness of his administration to sustain the collaboration with the private sector to create jobs for youths of the state.

Governor Ortom wished every Nigerian youth a peaceful celebration.