BY EDITOR
The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on New Media, Comrade Leo Ekene Oketa, has said the youth-oriented programmes and initiatives of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru are inspiring a new generation of young leaders across the state.
Oketa, who spoke on the impact of the administration’s youth development initiatives during the 2026 International Youth Day Celebration at Re-Meritona Hotel and Suites in Abakaliki, described Nwifuru as a focused and intentional leader whose governance philosophy had continued to create opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the development of Ebonyi State.
According to him, the governor’s personal commitment, work ethic and deliberate approach to governance had provided young people with a leadership model capable of inspiring them to aspire to greater responsibilities.
“The governor is like a shining example to the youths. He is someone who works very hard, not just hard, but intentionally and in a very focused manner. The youths are taking something from him and seeing in him the kind of leader I have described,” Oketa said.
The governor’s aide noted that the increasing number of programmes targeted at young people was evidence of the administration’s disposition towards youth development, stressing that such initiatives had created avenues for youths to acquire opportunities, participate in governance and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the state.
He also commended the National Youth Council of Nigeria for its activities, saying the organisation had demonstrated the capacity of young people to make meaningful contributions to society when given the requisite platform and institutional support.
Oketa acknowledged that government could not resolve every challenge confronting the people, but maintained that the Nwifuru administration had, within its capacity, continued to take concrete steps towards addressing youth-related concerns.
“You cannot solve all the problems; maybe only God can solve all the problems. But to the best of his ability, he is doing well,” he said.
He said the emergence of new youth development programmes under the present administration represented a departure from the past, urging beneficiaries and other young people in the state to maximise opportunities provided through government initiatives.
Oketa further advised young people who receive awards and recognition for their contributions to society not to regard such honours as the culmination of their achievements, but as a call to greater service.
“For me, when I receive recognition of any sort or an award, I don't see it as because I have achieved anything. I see it as a call to do more. It is a charge to know that there is more work to be done and that people are expecting more from you,” he said.
On government-citizen relations, Oketa stressed the importance of constructive engagement, particularly on social media, urging government media aides to approach criticism with restraint, empathy and a willingness to understand the concerns behind citizens’ complaints.
He said public officials should not automatically interpret criticism of government policies as opposition to the administration, noting that responsible communication required listening to divergent perspectives and determining whether the issues raised warranted government intervention.
“When you are online, you see lots of people who want to say things from different perspectives. My job is not to reply to them in the same manner, but to try and wear their shoes and understand where they are coming from,” Oketa explained.
He said media aides should investigate complaints, ask relevant questions and provide government with useful feedback capable of informing policy responses and improving public service delivery.
Oketa described the Nwifuru administration as media-friendly and receptive to citizens’ views, adding that the growing reliance on social media as a channel of communication between government and the public was still evolving.
He, however, said disagreements arising from online engagements should not undermine the broader objective of promoting constructive dialogue between government and citizens.
The governor’s aide urged Ebonyi youths to remain focused, productive and committed to the development of the state, saying the opportunities being created through youth-oriented programmes should be leveraged to build individual capacity and contribute to sustainable development.
He maintained that effective leadership was ultimately measured by the ability to listen to the people, understand their concerns and take appropriate action, adding that continued collaboration between government and young people remained critical to the state’s future.
