By Emma Okereke
Owerri.
Imo state government has offered employment to no fewer than 25,000 persons of the state extraction to stem the vices arising from unemployment in the state.
The employment programme which is under the aegis of Imo Youths Must Work was officially launched in the state, Tuesday, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.
Speaking to Journalists at the Government House, The Governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha OON. Said the programme is first of its kind in Nigeria. The Youths who would earn a monthly salary of N20,000 had been put into the employment box of the state, from where they could get into other meaningful engagements.
Already they had been posted to work in the Imo Security Network, Imo state Civil Service guard, the state Community watch operational at every autonomous community in the state. Others are working as teachers in the primary and secondary schools, the Imo Palm Plantation, Ministries and parastatal. The governor urged them to reciprocate the gesture by making the most of the opportunity
He also spoke on the Community Government Councils inaugurated recently and urged all to support them. On the death of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Rtd, he described him as a greet Igbo son.
He said that the state government would set up a committee to ensure that he was given a befitting burial comparable to the one given to the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
He explained that he was in the All Progressive Congress (APC) because it is the only party that gives hope for the Igbo race.
Owelle lamented that The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had relegated the Igbo’s to an insignificant position in the country, deserving only the post of woman leader and publicity secretary, pointing out that it was adequate for a group that formed the Nigeria tripod.
The governor who declared May, 6th freedom and work free day in the state to commensurate his victory at the Pills three years ago, expressed joy that there is much to celebrate in Imo. According to him include the free education from primary to tertiary massive road construction and rehabilitation quantum leap in infrastructure and reduction of unemployment and crime rate in the state.