Group Begs Wike Over Youth Bodies’ Ban

President of Indigenous  Youth Bodies of Nigeria, Comrade Bright Abali has made a plea to Rivers State Government to lift ban on youth activities in the state.
Abali made the plea during a chat with The Tide as part of it activities to mark this year’s World Youth Day on Monday.
The youth leader said rather than proscribing youth bodies outrightly, the governor should evolve measures to ensure that only recognised and screened youths are allowed to operate in their communities.
“We are begging him, because we know he is a father and he has a listening ear” Abali submitted.
Abali further suggested that formal youth bodies that are registered while those not registered should be banned from operating.
He agreed that though miscreants and cultists have infiltrated youth activism in the state but that it was hasty to give a blanket proscribtion on all of them.
Abali recalled that while he was president of Omoku Youth body, he championed the elimination of all forms of gangsterism and cultism in the area,  stating that “ it was my effort that gave birth to OSPAC.”
Speaking in the theme of this year’s International youth day, which highlighted the importance of education as tool for youth development, Abali urged government to provide scholarships, and educational programmes for youths.
He also advised young people to shun cultism and embrace education as that is one tool that can arm them to contribute to governance and lead in the future.