The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, has identified unemployment as a major driver of insecurity and social unrest among young people, pledging to prioritise job creation if elected.
Speaking during an engagement with youths and constituents in the federal constituency, Ogalagu said meaningful empowerment through employment opportunities remains the most effective strategy for reducing crime and violence.
According to the APGA candidate, elected representatives must focus on creating sustainable opportunities for young people rather than offering temporary handouts.
"The first thing a representative ought to do is to take youths off the streets. When youths are gainfully employed, there will be no war. What we are offering is not rice or handouts but opportunities for employment and empowerment," he said.
Ogalagu outlined a development agenda centred on youth employment, education, skills acquisition and infrastructure development across the constituency.
He pledged to facilitate employment opportunities for youths, provide scholarships to deserving students and establish skills acquisition programmes designed to equip young people with practical and entrepreneurial skills.
The House of Representatives hopeful also promised to sponsor postgraduate education for qualified youths from the constituency, stressing that investment in education remains critical to sustainable development.
He further unveiled plans to empower women economically through cassava processing initiatives and the provision of soft loans to support small-scale businesses and agricultural ventures.
According to him, empowering youths and women would not only improve livelihoods but also enhance peace, security and economic growth within the constituency.
Ogalagu urged residents to support leaders with clear development agendas, assuring constituents that his focus would remain on delivering opportunities capable of transforming lives and advancing the fortunes of Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency.
