Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged the Federal Government to divert the recovered money from the fuel subsidy removal to revamping of critical sectors in the country.
The agency said intervention in the health, education, railway, agriculture and other infrastructural developments will help cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on Nigerians.
The Anambra State Director, National Orientation Agency, Awka, Joseph Uchendu, made the call in his keynote address at a one-day programme organised by the Agency for all registered youth organisations in the State and other relevant organisations in the oil sector in the State.
The event which was held in the corporate headquarters of the National Orientation Agency in Awka afforded the NOA State Director, the opportunity to brief the participants on the reasons behind the removal of the fuel subsidy by Federal Government and the anticipated benefits therein.
Uchendu, who also took the youths on the National Youths Volunteer Service Programme of the Federal Government and National Core Values Campaign, said that the removal of the fuel subsidy in the country by the Federal Government was long overdue with a view to saving the nation’s economy and social life from total collapse.
He stated that the National Youths Volunteer Service Programme of the Federal Government was a nationwide event designed to promote the spirit and culture of volunteerism and community service among Nigerian youths.
According him, it was a platform for the youths to develop a sense of citizenship, patriotism, lifelong learning and critical social skills that would enhance their personal development and growth in the country.
Contributing, the Deputy Director, Special Duties of NOA in Awka, Mrs. Ifeoma Chijioke, affirmed that the human oriented programmes of the Federal Government were designed with a view to exposing Nigerian youths to what the Federal Government has in stock for them and all the benefits that would affect their Iives positively.
Also, the President-General Anambra State Association of Town Unions, youth wing, Comrade Ken. Okoli, said that the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was not the problem of the Nigerian youths but lack of trust of the Nigerian leaders by the youths.
Also the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Anambra State, Ambassador Emeka Obi, represented by the Programmes Officer of the Council, Comrade John Maduegbuna, remarked that it would have been much more better had it been that the Federal Government refurbished the nations ill fated refineries before embarking on the removal of the fuel subsidy to save the people from untold hardship.
