A non profit organisation, Speak Up Volunteers Initiative, which aims to promote and help in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria (SDGs), has concluded plans to sensitise residents of Afikpo North local government area (LGA) of Ebonyi state on sanitation, cultism, unemployment and other social vices, with local theme: “Ozi oha: i nwoteo ekaoru?”- community service: are you employed?
In a chat with Blueprint in Abuja Thursday, convener of the group and an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister Uche Bright Ifeanyi, said that part of plans by the group for its annual community service is the sanitisation of the famous Eke Ukwu market in Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi state, enrollment of youths for digital training, a visit to Afikpo North LGA chairman on December 31, sensitisation on SDGs, among others.
He revealed that participants in the annual exercise are entitled to certain benefits and appealed for volunteers to join in the onerous task of keeping Afikpo clean, healthy and safe for residents.
He, however, appealed for financial support from organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to fund its laudable initiatives of training Afikpo youths on different skills; in order to reduce unemployment, secret cult activities and other social vices.
He said: “It bothers me whenever I visit home to see unemployment youths engaged in secret cult activities, petty crimes and other social vices, instead of tapping into their unlimited potentials to keep themselves busy and earn a living. Many of the youths are limiting themselves, due to ignorance and lack of opportunities.
“Therefore, my team has decided to engage in this sensitisation exercise during the yuletide, which is aimed at enlightening the youths to tap into their unlimited potentials; in order to be useful to themselves and society. Many of the youth will be trained on different skills in order to lift themselves out of poverty. However, we need support of well meaning Nigerians to be able to achieve some of the laudable objectives we have for Afikpo residents.”
