Rehabilitation
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, July 20, 2018 (NAN) Gombe state government spends more than N170 million annually for youth rehabilitation, according to the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Charles Iliya.
Iliya made the disclosure on Friday in Gombe during a courtesy visit by the Executives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), ahead of the congress in Gombe.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that state is hosting the 2018 Nigerian Youths Unity Congress with the theme: ‘Youth: Uniting for National Integration and Recovery.“
The deputy governor noted the situation of youths the present administration met in the state was that of violence with Kalare and Sarasuka groups terrorising the people of the state.
According to him, the story today is different; adding that huge amount of money was spent in rehabilitating and engaging youths.
“The story of youths of Gombe state, seven or eight years ago was drastic. Sarasuka and Kalare groups were terrorising the good people of the state.
“ Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo took that as a challenge and today, the story is different as everyone can now live and do his or her business in peace,’’ he said.
“ The state government spends N170 million annually for youth rehabilitation and the payment of stipends to the youths.
“This is done to take youths off the streets and demonstrate the government commitment toward the youth.
“So far, over 10,000 youths have been given jobs and those who have gone astray have been rehabilitated.
“The youth are no longer on the streets because they have been engaged meaningfully.“
He congratulated the youth of Nigeria on the signing of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the law would enable more youths to participate in governance.
Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Mr Dickson Akoh, said the youth were in the state to pay the Deputy Governor courtesy visit to solicit his support for the congress.
He commended the state government for hosting the congress. (NAN)
UP/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed