The Imo State governorship aspirant of the Labour Party, Hon. Ifeanyi Thaddaus Ezeagu, has challenged Nigerian youths to reject political manipulation, violence and hopelessness, urging them to take their rightful place in shaping the future of the country.
Ezeagu made the call in a message to mark International Youth Day, where he said the time had come to abandon the long-standing narrative that youths are merely “leaders of tomorrow,” stressing that young Nigerians are already leaders and critical stakeholders in national development.
He commended the courage, creativity, resilience and enormous potential of youths across Imo State and Nigeria, describing them as a driving force capable of transforming the country’s economic, political and social landscape.
According to him, the energy, ideas, talents and determination of young Nigerians must be harnessed through deliberate policies that create opportunities rather than leaving them at the mercy of political promises and empty rhetoric.
Ezeagu warned that youth empowerment must no longer be reduced to political slogans or occasional distribution of token benefits. He said genuine empowerment should encompass quality education, meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, access to technology, affordable healthcare, security and active participation in governance.
He said he envisioned an Imo State where poverty would no longer force young people to abandon their dreams and where graduates would have meaningful opportunities to deploy their knowledge, skills and talents for personal advancement and societal development.
The Labour Party aspirant also called for the creation of an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs could establish and expand their businesses without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
He noted that a prosperous economy must be built around innovation, enterprise and productive citizens, stressing the need for government to provide the policies and infrastructure required for young people to thrive.
Ezeagu further cautioned youths against allowing politicians to exploit their numerical strength during elections and abandon them after securing political power. He urged them to demand accountability, competence, transparency and responsive leadership from those seeking their votes.
He appealed to Nigerian youths to resist attempts to divide them along ethnic, religious and political lines, stressing that the country’s diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than a tool for political manipulation.
He equally urged young Nigerians to reject violence, drug abuse and other social vices while embracing education, entrepreneurship, innovation, responsible citizenship and peaceful participation in the democratic process.
Ezeagu maintained that the responsibility for rebuilding Nigeria could not be left entirely to government, insisting that citizens, particularly youths, must become active participants in the country’s transformation rather than passive spectators.
He reiterated his commitment, as a governorship aspirant on the Labour Party platform, to an Imo State where youths and women would be treated as genuine partners in development, with talent rewarded, hard work respected and opportunities made accessible to citizens irrespective of their backgrounds.
He challenged young Nigerians to believe in themselves, acquire knowledge, build sustainable enterprises, speak out against injustice, participate actively in governance and vote wisely.
According to him, the time has come for a new generation of leadership and a new culture of governance in Nigeria.
Ezeagu concluded with a message of hope and determination, declaring: “Our Youth. Our Strength. Our Future. Our Imo. Our Nigeria.”
He wished youths across Imo State and Nigeria a fruitful International Youth Day and called for collective action towards building a prosperous, inclusive and equitable nation.
