By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has said he would continue to respect, cherish and empower Nigerian youths since they remained the backbone of the nation’s future.

Ihedioha gave the declaration, yesterday, at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, while flagging off the second phase of the Training and Research Development for Imo youths.

“Youths remain the backbone of the nation’s tomorrow. I will not abandon our youths, even after leaving public office. I will continue to respect, cherish and empower them,” Ihedioha said.

The speaker explained that decision to use the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies of FUTO was deliberate because he attached so much importance to youth development and empowerment.

Ihedioha,  whose message was delivered by his aide, Sir Bright Nwelue, also explained that the training was aimed at helping youths to be economically self-reliant, especially in these days of  mass unemployment.

After giving a litany of benefits accruable to the participants at the end of the training, Ihedioha urged the participants to take the workshop seriously because it would assist them in their future endeavours.