Young Surveyors Network (YSN) Imo State chapter, an umbrella body of energetic, progressive and vibrant qualified surveyors who came together as youths to see how they can contribute their quota towards making the society better, on Friday, October, 11, 2024, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, who is equally a youth in his office at the Ikemba Ojukwu Center, New Owerri.
The group, led by Surveyor Emmanuel Abara, Chairman, YSN, Imo state chapter said their visit to the Commissioner who they described as a motivator, silent achiever and worthy ambassador of the youths, was to see how they can partner with him and his ministry to contribute that towards the development of the state and the society considering the fact that Surveyors and their services are indispensable in the planning and execution of projects that will stand the test of time.
The group also used the opportunity to present an Award of Excellence to the Commissioner in recognition of his exceptional performance, administrative and leadership prowess, which, aside being a reference point, has also shown that the youths have what it takes to take our state and country to the next level of socioeconomic development in all ramifications,
Surveyor Abara, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues also solicited the assistance of the Commissioner in respect of their upcoming convention that will hold……………..in no distant time.
Responding, the Commissioner commended their resolve to come together as Young Surveyors with a view to changing the narrative, pointing out that the way things were done 15-20 years ago are not the way they are done today because of the influence of modernization, Science and Technology
“I commend you for having an umbrella body of young surveyors, just like the doctors also have a forum for young doctors. I urge you to use your platform to mobilize, educate and sensitize some of our youths who, because o peer pressure or wrong orientation embraced criminality and other vices to retrace their steps and have a rethink because crime, no matter how it is disguised, is an ill-motivated venture that does not pay neither does it guarantee peace of mind.” .
Dr Mandela also used the opportunity to highlight some of the youth friendly programmes of the state and federal governments that are geared towards making the youths self-reliant in addition to giving them a better and brighter future.
He however regretted that contrary to what is obtainable in other places, youths in the Southeast are not taking advantage of te opportuinities being provided.
Continuing, the Commissioner said, “our Ministry was created for the benefit of the youths. The Governor noticed the gap in his first tenure, hence immediately he assumed office for a second tenure he created the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt. We identify talents, groom, encourage, redirect and develop them for optimal performance and the achievement of set objectives.
We work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enable our youths benefit from the several people oriented youth friendly programmes of the federal government but unfortunately, our youths do not register not to talk of showing interest. For instance, any person who wants to enter the university must first of all register for JAMB before we now start talking about cut off marks and how to assist the person gain admission. If he or she does not register for the JAMB, there is nothing any person can do to assist. And that is the point”.
He assured the group of his muinistrys continued assistance and told them to always reach out when necessary.
