From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South senatorial district in the National Assembly, has urged youth in the South East to work towards ending the current insecurity in the region.
He gave the urge in his address during the South East Youth Leadership Development and Value Reorientation Summit, held in Enugu on Friday.
While attributing the increasing wave of insecurity in the region to loss of value and respect for human life, he enjoined the youth to re-imbibe the attributes of love and respect for one another.
He also advocated the introduction of trade schools and trade certifications across the South East to discourage youths from becoming willing tools in the hands of criminals.
“We must go back to those values upon which our communities were built; that of love, unity, truthfulness and respect for human life, if we must have the kind of future that we want.
“It is time for our youth to fight the criminals who have continued to disrupt economic activities in the guise of demanding for self-actualisation.
“As young people, you must understand your values and not be recruited as tools for destruction. We are concerned about the youth of today, who must understand that the future is theirs,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of South East Governors Forum and convener of the summit, Uche Ekwunife, said the programme was necessary because youth have an important role to play in the growth and development of the region and the entire country.