ASABA – Legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Uzum Azuka Eugene, has issued a strategic call to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, urging a swift recalibration of the state’s youth empowerment and job creation frameworks. While acknowledging the Governor’s commendable visionary policies in education, infrastructure, and healthcare, Uzum cautioned that the administration must not lose sight of its most volatile and valuable asset: the youth.
In a statement titled “A Note to H.E. Gov. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori,” the advocate highlighted a perceived lull in the state’s once-vibrant job creation axis. He noted that between 2018 and 2023—during the Governor’s tenure as Speaker of the State Assembly—Delta State boasted the most formidable job creation module in Nigeria. Uzum stated that infrastructures will mean more when citizens can access them with contentment, emphasizing that physical projects must be matched by human capital development to ensure the administration’s “MORE” mantra remains sustainable.
To achieve what he calls “Sustainable Ukodo,” the legal practitioner cum orientation czer proposed a return to global standards of entrepreneurship. He cited tested procedures such as the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), and the Job and Entrepreneurship Enhancement Programme (JEEP). He urged the Governor to either revitalize these programs or design new modules that incorporate mileage tracking, professional mentoring, and value evaluation to ensure long-term growth rather than temporary handouts.
Addressing the internal political climate, Uzum expressed concern that some Special Advisers and Executive Council members might not be providing the Governor with the candid feedback necessary to address current gaps in youth engagement. He clarified that his critique was not an act of opposition but a proactive measure to safeguard the administration’s legacy ahead of the 2027 election cycle. He noted that anyone who is not fighting is not swimming against the tide, as no one gives good counsel to institutions they want to see fail.
With Delta State housing one of the highest numbers of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Uzum warned that the state’s massive youth population requires immediate and structured engagement to maintain social stability and economic progress.
