AS the countries across the globe celebrated World Youth Day, on Monday, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has charged President Goodluck Jonathan and governors to use their security votes to better the lives of the nation’s youths.

The party said this became imperative as the youth, who represented the future of the country, were being subjected to hardship, poverty and unemployment.

In a press statement issued by the national youth leader of ACN, Comrade Mirki Ebikibina, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, in Yenagoa, on Monday, the party said “it is counter-productive and a misplaced priority, for the presidency and state governors to have unaccounted sums of money monthly or annually as security votes, for oiling and sustaining political interests, while the lives and future of youths are being challenged with massive unemployment and other social vices.”

The statement underscored the crucial need for elected political office holders, most especially at the state and federal levels to attach deserved importance to the development of youths, with a view to providing enabling environment capable of guaranteeing improved living conditions for them.

The ACN, however, commended the governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, for diverting about N6.4 billion from hid security votes to his state’s educational sector.

It also applauded the decision of the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, to use his security votes to employ and empower 20,000 in the state.

It, therefore, implored other state governors to emulate the gestures of both Okorocha and Aregbesola by identifying with the challenges of the youths and to also be sensitive to their plight.



NEWSPAPER TRIBUNE



ROCHAS IS LEADING THE WAY