Candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has assured youths in the state of new policy directives that will help them actualise their dreams.
Okonkwo, who spoke at the New Yam festival of youths of Nkwelle Etiti in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of the state weekend, said his administration will usher in a new era of youth development in the state.
Accompanied by his running mate, Dame Jessie Balonwu and other members of his campaign team, Dr. Okonkwo assured the youths that he will pursue policies that will help them realise their individual dreams.
“When I look at the youths of Anambra, I see a lot of Dangote, Ibeto, Innoson, Jim Ovia etc. I see a lot of Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Phyno and the rest. But it is sad that you have not explored your potentials to the full because the government has not pursued policies that aim at helping you actualise your talents.
“Anambra youths are talented. They are blessed and ready to explode on the world stage. Many of you here have the capacity to become the next big icons on the world stage. However, I know that you have been held down by poor policy directions of successive governments”, he said.
Commending Nkwelle Etiti youths for observing the new yam festival, Okonkwo said the Igbo culture is rich and deeply rooted in the life of the people.
He said anyone who dissociates from his or her culture cannot enjoy a balanced life.
According to him “culture is a way of life and I am very happy that our youths are following in the tradition of our forebears by observing the new yam festival complete with all the colourful masquerades that add value to our culture”.
He further assured that the Anambra state government under his leadership will enunciate policies that will ensure the transformation of cultural festivals into revenue yielding ventures for the state and the communities.
“As a government, we shall put in place policies that will take these cultural festivals to new economic levels and make them to become huge revenue earning avenues.
Commending Dr. Okonkwo for personally honouring youths of Nkwelle Etiti, a youth leader in the area, Izunna Okeke, said youths in Anambra are solidly behind his aspiration to lead the state into a new era of development.
He told journalists that Dr. Okonkwo’s vision and ideas are incomparable to those of his co-contestants.
“When you listen to Dikeora (Dr. Obiora Okonkwo) you will be glad that he is in the race to govern our state. We are happy that he is on the ballot for ZLP and we will mobilise to ensure he becomes our next governor because his ideas and visions are second to none”, the youth leader said.