The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has pledged to make youth development and agriculture key priorities of his administration if elected governor in 2027.
Anosike made the pledge at the Ohuhu Youth Day held at Afugiri Central School, Ohuhu, where he called on young people in the state to support his governorship bid.
He said no government could afford to neglect the youth, describing them as critical to the future development of the state.
“Any government that does not have a programme for the youths does not understand the future because the youths are the future,” Anosike said.
The PDP candidate identified agriculture as a major driver of employment and food security, saying his proposed welfare agenda would include Operation Feed Abia, a back-to-farm initiative designed to encourage young people to participate in agriculture.
He commended the Ohuhu youth leadership for its efforts to engage young people in agriculture and information and communication technology (ICT), and announced a donation of N1 million towards the group’s agricultural programme.
Anosike also promised to create opportunities for young people in Abia to secure virtual employment with companies in Asia and Europe if elected governor.
He said his administration would establish the proposed Abia Global Opportunity Agency to facilitate such opportunities, enabling residents to work for international companies without leaving the state.
“If elected, we will go beyond this. We intend to start programmes whereby even if you are in any part of Abia State, you can work in companies in Asia or Europe through what we call the Abia Global Opportunity Agency,” he said.
The governorship candidate urged Ohuhu youths to regard his 2027 ambition as a collective project and support his bid to lead the state.
“I believe in the future of Ohuhu Youth and all the youths of Abia State. Any other programme you are doing, call on me, I will support you,” he added.
The Chairman of the event, Royal High Chief Ugochukwu Edozie, commended the Ohuhu youth leadership for its vision and programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people.
Edozie also called for the event to become an annual celebration.
Earlier, the President of the Ohuhu Welfare Union Youth Wing, Chief Uchenna Iheanacho, said the organisation had empowered more than 300 people through agricultural initiatives and skills acquisition programmes.
Iheanacho said the group required about N75 million to implement the next phase of its projects, including an agriculture and free farming loan scheme, anti-drug abuse and anti-cultism campaigns, health awareness initiatives, ICT training for 50 students and vocational training.
He appealed to governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the youth wing in delivering the programmes.
Anosike was also honoured at the event with a Visionary Leadership Award by the Ohuhu Youth Wing of the Ohuhu Welfare Union.
The award was presented to him by the traditional ruler of Umudiawa Autonomous Community, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu.
