Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday hinged the future greatness of the country on youths who were prepared to be self-reliant and hardworking.

Uduaghan, speaking during the  presentation of awards to 200 participants of  the 3rd Award Ceremony of the Shell/Delta State Government  Livewire programme, observed that any country with a crop of youths who are dependent on others would not make any progress in the 21st century.

The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, said: “The future of our great nation and indeed, our state depends on youths who are hard working, painstaking, innovative and ready to be self-reliant.”

He reasoned that poverty alleviation programmes that do not provide the needed environment for the young ones to be engaged in viable business ventures would not go a long way in achieving their set targets.

Shell’s Government and Community Relations Manager, East, Mr. Funkakpo Fufeyin on his part  informed that over 1000 Niger Delta youths have benefited from the programme since its inception.