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…….100 Connect 270: Every Ward Matters Project Will Drive Positive Change-Funkekeme
………As Uyero Embarks On Stakeholders Engagement To Sensitize Delta Youth On Fight Against Drug Abuse
…….. Governor Oborevwori’s Special Adviser On Policy Matters Harps On New Paradigm Shift On Youth National Policy
By Victor Bieni, Asaba
Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Policy Matters, Rt. Hon Funkekeme Solomon, has said that 100 Connect 270: Every Ward Matters is an excellent policy idea on fight against drug abuse in Delta State and Nigeria in general as he advises Federal Government on the need to develop viable National Policy framework that will drive positive change in the minds of Nigerian Youth to reduce the prevalence of social vices and promote socio-economic development in the country.
The media learnt this pen-ultimate weekend from Hon. Chief Funkekeme Solomon during the critical stakeholders engagement by the Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Youth Mobilization, Ambassador Uyero Erarawhewho Jnr. and his team who paid a courtesy call to the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori On Policy Matters as Uyero highlighted the importance of the project towards reducing to the nearest minimum the high rate of drug Abuse among Youths in Delta State.
According to Governor Oborevwori’s Aide On Youth Mobilization, 100 Connect 270: Every Ward Matters project is an initiative aimed at mainstreaming youth in governance and reducing drug related issues in Delta State. Uyero stated that, the essence of partnership, critical engagement of the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy Matters is to join forces to contribute to the development of the society and make impact on the lives of the Youth of Delta State through massive grassroots sensitisation against drug abuse amongst Youth as he highlighted the objectives of the project which includes: Mainstreaming Youths in Governance, reduce drug abuse, partnership opportunities, technical expertise, resource mobilization, advocacy and outreach and the host of others.
Uyero Speaking further during the visit to Rt. Hon Funkeke Solomon intimated the Governor’s Aide on Policy Matters on the essence of the project towards driving positive change in the lives of Delta Youth and promotion of good governance as well as grassroots political mobilization, Youth Sensitisation, development, recognition and little cash rewards to those young persons that has kept faith with the initiative. Uyero stated that the stakeholders partnership, engagement which his office has kick-started will embrace both those in both public and private sectors. He added that, the initiative will help to sensitize over 27,000 Youths as over 100 persons per 270 wards in the State are targeted to be reached. Uyero then sort for partnership from the office of Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Policy Matters to carryout the project with other critical stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse in the State.
Apart from the dividends and positive impacts the project will make in the lives of the Youths towards promoting massive grassroots political participation, political stability, Youth development, peace and security, and most importantly reduction of cases of drug abuse, it will create room for sustainableble socio-economic development of Delta State. Uyero said his office will reward youths with track records of volunteerism and community services in the areas which bothers environment, Security, education, entrepreneurship and other sectors of the economy to encourage grassroots development and support to the governor’s M.O.R.E agenda policy.
While responding to the advice, partnership as sort by the Special Assistant to the Governor On Youth Mobilization, Hon. Funkekeme who defined drug abuse from the sustainable development point of view noted that, the minds of the Youth should be well re-oriented for them to understand that today is the future as life enmeshed in hard drugs is an end product of a destroyed future. He added that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori meant well for Delta Youth, that his office is there to advice Delta State Government on policy matters. Policy means institutionalised proposal. It is a deliberate system, principles to guide to government decisions and achieve outcomes. The policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions on the best ways to channel, utilize, and manage government resources. Policy is prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs.
According to Funkekeme, those Youths who are addicted to drugs if not well sensitised, have no future aspirations as leaders of tomorrow. He then commended the initiative and visit by Uyero and his team to his office as Funkekeme stated that, Oborevwori is a Youth friendly Governor, that his government will continue to interface, work with the Youths to implement programs that is capable of eradicating drug abuse amongst Youths in Delta State. He added that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s policy is geared towards maintaining a paradigm shift from what Youths empowerment used to be in the State, that present administration will look at new methods of engaging, mobilising, developing and empowering the Youths to achieve results in both short and long term projection as he commended the Governor’s Aide for such great initiative.
Funkekeme said: ” I known your capacity as you ones worked with me in my former office as SPOLAD. You were one of the most vibrant SAs then. Keep it up! I will keep on recommending you. The objectives of this project as stated by you are purely recommended, excellent. I urge you to work on the sustainability of this project.
I also urge you to engage all stakeholders, especially Government MDAs, Ministries and Orientation Bureau. Also, conduct a pilot study on this laudable initiative. My office is solely mandated to advice on policy matters. We will continue to give the best advice that will impact positively on citizens of Delta State, especially the Youths. The aftermath of the Endsars and obedient movement shows that there is a need for a review of National Youth Policy to fit into best Youth development in Nigeria and Delta State as well.”