By Peter Okutu
ABAKALIKI—A socio-cultural group in Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State, Okposi Vanguards, has stated that it would not allow youths in the area to be used as thugs in this year’s general.

According to the group, the N10 million Economic Empowerment Scheme for youths in the community is a sure measure to getting them employed in areas that would provoke them to utilizing their talents.

Leader of Okposi Vanguards, Mr. Monday Ugwu, who disclosed this during Okposi Vanguards 2nd Annual Lecture held at Okposi, Ebonyi State, yesterday, said the fund will be disbursed to youths in the area who successfully participated in the skill acquisition programmes organized by the group.

Over 30 youths drawn from the three autonomous communities that make up Okposi participated in a 3-day youth empowerment workshop, sponsored by Okposi Vanguards.

They were trained in fishery, piggery, poultry and other agricultural activities, while some of them will undergo more comprehensive trainings that will enable them benefit from the micro-credit.

Ugwu, lamented that Okposi youths had been abandoned by successive administrations, particularly at the local government level, pointing out that the situation had led some of them into various social vices, including political thuggery, stealing, robbery, vandalism and hooliganism.

He said: “We believe that our youth should not be miscreants; they should not be deviants. If we continue this way, then the society is doomed.

“Okposi Vanguards believe that the youth is the link to the future; they are the heart-beat of any community and that’s why we are bent on galvanizing them to ensure a safe and egalitarian society.

“We are ready to collaborate with governments, NGOs and other community-based organizations to develop the youth.

“Okposi is a blessed Community; but if this ugly trend is not contained and redressed, the community’s future will be bleak.”

The group condemned the recruitment of youths for political thuggery, vowing to mobilize all resources at its disposal to ensure that the youths of the area were not used for negative activities by some unpatriotic politicians during the 2011 general elections.