Quality Education, Our Priority –Amaechi

Special Adviser to the President on MDG’s, Dr Mrs Precious Kalamba Gbeneol (left) presenting document to the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelebama Amachree, during her official visit to Rivers State Assembly complex. Photo Obinna Prince Dele

The Rivers State Government, has restated its commitment
towards ensuring access to quality education for all Rivers  families.

The Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, who said this
yesterday in Port Harcourt during the
2012 International Youth Day celebration, also restated government’s
commitment towards the free medical care programme.

Represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr
Nabbs Imegwu, the governor described the theme of the celebration: Building a
Better World: Partnering with Youths, as very appropriate, especially at this
critical time of national development. Governor Amaechi who represented
President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, said that the government is
determined to put the right policies that will enable Nigerian youths realise
their potentials.

In his welcome address, the State Commissioner, Ministry of
Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi said that the occasion calls for a
reflection on the state of the youths in the state as well as their
contributions to the socio-cultural, economic and political development of the
state.

In addition, it is a period to critically analyse their need
in order of priority and urgency and to encourage good behaviour and advise
them on the way forward.

‘On the other hand, it is also a period for the  youth themselves to use this day to interface
and discuss their needs, reflect on their concerns, interests how they have
fared in the past what went wrong and provide government their views on how
best to handle youth related matters, he said.

The commissioner, who stressed the need for the youths to
partner with government to move the state forward also noted that the
administration will provide the enabling environment for the actualisation of
their dreams.

“Government is therefore soliciting for your friendship and
partnership, for us to grow as state and contribute to our collective
existence.”

He warned them against being used as a tool for the
destruction of the country.

The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN),
Rivers State Chapter, Hon Kingsley Ibani Chuka stressed the need for a stronger
partnership between Rivers youths and the government.