The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) Mr. Mark Okoye, has called on youths in the region to have confidence in government and hold their elected representatives responsible.
Okoye made the call during a reception organised for him by youth organisations in Anambra on Friday.
Some of the youth groups were, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Not Too Young to Run, National Union of Anambra state Students and Political Support Groups.
Okoye said it had been observed that years of neglect and unmet expectations had created the attitude of indifference among them but regretted that ignorance was also a worrisome factor for their non participation in governance.
The MD said the Southeast youth must see themselves as bonafide components of Nigerian construct and go for their rights with boldness and full rights of citizenship.
He described the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as youth friendly with a good number of under 40 years persons heading Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He urged them to embrace Federal Government policies and programmes by filling their quota in opportunities such as NELFUND loan for undergraduates, business support fund, recruitment in Army, Police and other opportunities.
Okoye said the Southeast owed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a debt of gratitude for creating the SEDC within one year in office whereas six military administrations and five presidents failed to do it in 54 years.
He said SEDC was a platform for investing in infrastructure in the region adding that the Commission would work with the five Governors to make Southeast the most preferred investment destination in Nigeria
He said the vision was to develop Southeast not just for the people of the region but for the entire country. He added that collaboration and development of states would be in their areas of comparative advantages.
He said the SEDC had robust programmes for young people and would work with youths across Southeast states and give them a platform for greater opportunities.
In his address of welcome Mr Tochukwu Obiadi, a youth leader thanked President Tinubu for finding Okoye worthy of appointment as MD/CEO of SEDC while pledging commitment of Anambra youth to work with the Commission to achieve its development objectives.
Mr Ken Okoli said the appointment of Okoye was an indication that youths had taken centre stage in governance at the national level.