The Anambra State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, says investments that will create massive employment for the teeming unemployed youths in Anambra, are much needed at this time to begin to address the increasing rate of youths’ involvement in crime.
The Anambra State NYCN Chairman, Ambassador Surveyor Obi Emeka Chukwudi made this known in a chat with newsmen in Awka, after receiving news of the employment of members of the council by an Anambra philanthropist and industrialist, Dr Sir Daniel Chukwudozie, OON, FNSE, Akudo Ndigbo.
It was gathered that Chief Chukwudozie, who is the Executive Chairman, Dozzy Group of Companies, had selected some youths from the Council and given them employment in his companies.
Reacting to the development, Surveyor Chukwudi said what Chief Chukwudozie had done by gainfully engaging the youths, was to depopulate the number of persons who would have been lured into crime as a result of unemployment.
He also said the employed youths would also go on to become bread-winners in their families, supporting them out of poverty.
Emphasizing that the government alone cannot effectively tackle the rising unemployment in the country, Obi said it is heartwarming that the Dozzy Group is supporting the government in that regard.
“This is what can be best described as the true spirit of nationalism. Chief Chukwudozie’s identification and employment of these youths from the Council shows that he understands what is happening in society and is taking steps to become part of the solution instead of the problem.
“The beneficiaries are glad, as it provides them the opportunity to acquire business tips, and job experience and also meet up their financial responsibilities and obligations.
“Today, those employed youths can no more consider negative ventures as a means of survival because they have been positively engaged.
“All they would be focused on is how to deliver on their tasks and earn a living. That is a non-kinetic way of crime-fighting,” Obi said.
The Anambra NYCN boss called on other wealthy Anambra sons and daughters, to think in the direction which Chief Chukwudozie had thought, and evolve ways to positively engage the youths.
He said; “The youths, because of their age and exuberance, are the most susceptible to crime and violence, especially when they are idle.
“We are looking forward to seeing more wealthy Anambra people- industrialists, philanthropists, and otherwise, begin to give back to the society, in terms of empowering the youths.
“It is not enough to amass huge wealth. The ultimate question is- what did you deploy such wealth for.”
Obi revealed that the State NYCN is ready to partner anyone, who has genuine intentions of gainfully engaging our youths, with its network across the state.
“With our network across the various local government areas of the state, we can within the shortest possible time, come up with whatever number anyone wants to engage and in the right areas.
“Because we are everywhere, we have a comprehensive database of our youths, their areas of specification, both educated and skilled ones.
“So, the question of lack of structure does not suffice again, because my administration has mobilized the data on the youths, their academic qualifications and their skills.
“That way, it is easier to know who has capacity in whatever area, for whoever is seeking,” Obi posited.