OGBARU, (ANAMBRA) — The member representing Ogbaru 11 constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly Hon. Somto Udeze has unveiled Ogbaru Youth Parliament, as a non-partisan and creditable Youth forum whose focus is the wellbeing of Ogbaru youths.
During the inaugural ceremony at Ogbaru yesterday, Saturday 25th September, Hon. Udeze assured that he will assist no fewer than twenty indigent Ogbaru students with N50,000 scholarship each, per annum, while ten youths in business will be given a grant of N100,000 each, to help boost their businesses.
The process of determining who benefits from the scholarship or business grant is set by the trustees of the Ogbaru Youth Parliament. For those seeking scholarship, their academic performance will be examined and they may further be required by the board of trustees, to write an aptitude test upon which the final decision will be made on those qualified for the scholarship. However, for those in need of business capital, the viability of their ideas or businesses will be assessed along with their business proposal, by the board.
In attendance were hundreds of youths, representing different Youth bodies in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Under the theme: “The 21st Century Youths: A generation with Unharnessed Potentials”, many issues that are of concern to youths were discussed by select resource persons. Among the speakers are; Prof. Ikenna Alumuna, a professor of political science at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU).
He discussed “the role of youth in the Nigerian Political Economy”. Other resource persons include Dr. Uju Muogbo, a senior lecturer of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, Mr. Ebuka Onyekwelu, Columnist with the West African Pilot News, Dr. Jude Odigbo, senior lecturer of the faculty of social sciences, at Madonna University. While Dr. Uju spoke on education as a useful instrument for self-development, Mr. Ebuka discussed mentorship as a veritable tool for self-actualization and then, Dr. Jude Odigbo talked about career choice as it affects young people.
In his remarks, Hon. Somto Udeze noted that youths are important for democracy to succeed. “Youths are essential ingredients of any democracy. It is believed it is not only their right to be included in Political decision-making but also their perspectives, ideas, talents, and energy are key to addressing many challenges we are facing today, hence the need for the establishment of Ogbaru Youth Parliament,” Hon. Udeze said.
Speaking further, he observed that the group is “saddled with the responsibility to articulate and foster the welfare of Ogbaru Youth”. Even as he reminded that “true change cannot come from the outside… (and that) through partnership and inclusive dialogue, we can agree on actions for change”.
A Youth leader in Ogbaru, Agozie Obazie, while thanking Hon. Somto, also charged his fellow youths to take advantage of this opportunity and other existing opportunities available to young people.
The Board of Trustees of the group is expected to manage the scholarship and business grants which fund will be made available by Hon. Somto Udeze each year.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
