With the stage set for the fulfilment of his promise to fight crime and criminality in Anambra State, Governor Willie Obiano has set the ball rolling by promoting a scheme for massive job creation which is aimed at creating a comprehensive data bank on all unemployed youths in the state with a view to offering them employment.

The governor while making the revelation Wednesday at the flag-off of a road project in Achina in Aguata Local Government Area, advised unemployed youths of the state who want to make something meaningful of their lives to seize the moment and go to the state Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the local government council offices for registration.

According to him, the data capturing exercise will also provide his administration a rich reservoir of statistics that would not only help facilitate planning and budgeting but also help in the realisation of other initiatives as contained in his administration’s 4-Pillars of Development.

Largely hailed as a bold attempt to put a human face to the on-going crackdown on criminals in the state, Obiano’s announcement contains a comprehensive plan to train the youths in various agricultural and farming methods, including poultry, fish-farming, animal husbandry and other life-sustaining skills that will keep the youths off the streets.

The governor has declared that the war against criminals would be extended to all the 177 communities of the state, enjoining royal fathers in the state to encourage their subjects to provide useful information to security agents on questionable characters in their domains.

Speaking at the book launch and 73rd birthday of the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Obiano tasked the royal fathers to support efforts of his administration to rid the state of criminals and miscreants.

While commending Igwe Achebe for bringing honour and dignity to the state, Governor Obiano pointed out the need to accord respect and honour to the royal institution in Igboland as the custodian of Igbo customs and traditions and to protect it from abuse.

He further urged the royal fathers to avoid acts capable of bringing their office to ridicule and smearing their image, warning against indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles on dubious characters so as not to bring the entire system to disrepute.

Responding, Igwe Achebe commended the governor for the bold steps taken from the inception of his administration and urged the people to give him total support.

He noted that emerging traditional institutions in the state had remained committed to restoring the people’s value system and explained that every community should take its destiny in its hands to address various challenges and compliments of governance.

The member representing Onitsha North 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Onuigbo Enweuzor said Igwe Achebe had over the years justified the confidence reposed in him by the people and prayed God to continue to bestow him with wisdom.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano addressing Ndi Anambra during a public function.

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