RSG Disowns New Youth Body

The Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development has dissociated itself from the new National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), saying it recognises the NYCN led by Comrade Kingsley Ibanichuka whose tenure is yet to elapse.

Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Owene Wonodi while addressing newsmen at the weekend in Port Harcourt warned the group to desist from setting up a parallel youth body in the State or face serious consequences.

He revealed that the State Government was aware of plans by some politicians to use some youths to cause trouble through a kangaroo meeting slated for Saturday, at Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt.

“We wish to state categorically that the State Government is not aware of such meetings and will not recognise any illegal parallel apex youth council body in the state”, the commissioner stated.

He called on security agencies to put a hold of any illegal meeting without due clearance from the ministry and to forestall any breach of public peace that such event might cause.

The Commissioner also called on youths in the State to stay away from such meeting, and resist any attempt to use them for any political gain, while urging perpetrators to seek more civil means and follow due process in installing a youth body.

Wonodi while enjoining members of the public to disregard any such group, described it as illegal and handiwork of detractors.