BY LAJU ARENYEKA & JOSEPHINE MBAEBIE

The Akwa Ibom Youth Development Association has said that it will only support a candidate that has sustainable youth empowerment programmes in the 2015 governorship elections.  The Chairman Board of Trustees, Ibom Youth Pathfinder, Mr. Nsikak Tom Udo, in a statement said: “We will carefully assess and scrutinize the youth employment agendas of the various aspirants for 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State and decide who to adopt.”

The Ibom Youth Pathfinder is the arm of the association organizing this year’s Akwa Ibom Youth convention set to hold on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the University of Lagos.  Udo, speaking on the convention said: “We are on a mission to rebuild Akwa Ibom Youths. The convention, which will convene over 3,000 youths, is the beginning of phenomenon that will change the youths economic equation, promote the interest of the youths and make them regain their rightful place in Nigeria and globally.”

Furthermore, the secretary general of the Organisation, Mr. Aniekan Ekiset also told newsmen that the programme is aimed at “informing, equipping, and empowering Akwa Ibom youths by using a team of highly motivated individuals that are dedicated to professionalism, integrity, excellence and people that are driven by the fear of God, passion for changing, moulding lives of Akwa Ibom youths.”