The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has promised to make youth development and agriculture key priorities of his administration if elected governor in 2027.

Anosike made the pledge while speaking at the Ohuhu Youth Day held at Afugiri Central School, Ohuhu, where he urged young people across the state to support his governorship ambition.

He said any government without a clear programme for young people lacked a proper understanding of the future, stressing that youths would play a critical role in the development of society.

“Any government that does not have a programme for the youths does not understand the future because the youths are the future,” he said.

Anosike promises agriculture-driven jobs

The PDP candidate identified agriculture as a major pathway to job creation and food security in Abia.

He said his welfare agenda would include Operation Feed Abia, a deliberate back-to-farm initiative designed to engage more young people in agriculture and create sustainable livelihoods.

Anosike commended the Ohuhu youth leadership for its efforts to engage young people in agriculture and information and communication technology.

He also announced a donation of N1 million to support the group’s agricultural programme.

Beyond agriculture, Anosike promised to create opportunities for Abia youths to secure virtual employment with companies in Asia and Europe through a proposed Abia Global Opportunity Agency.

“If elected, we will go beyond this. We intend to start programmes whereby even if you are in any part of Abia State, you can work in companies in Asia or Europe through what we call the Abia Global Opportunity Agency,” he said.

He urged the Ohuhu youths to consider his 2027 governorship ambition a collective project and pledged to support other youth-focused initiatives across the state.

“I believe in the future of Ohuhu Youth and all the youths of Abia State. Any other programme you are doing, call on me, I will support you,” Anosike added.

Ohuhu youths seek N75m for projects

Earlier, the President of the Ohuhu Welfare Union Youth Wing, Chief Uchenna Iheanacho, disclosed that the organisation had empowered more than 300 people through farming and skills acquisition programmes.

He said the group needed about N75 million to implement its next phase of projects, including an agricultural and free farming loan scheme, anti-drug abuse and anti-cultism campaigns, health awareness programmes, ICT training for 50 students and vocational training.

Iheanacho appealed to the government, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the youths in achieving their objectives.

The chairman of the event, Royal High Chief Ugochukwu Edozie, commended the youth leadership for what he described as its visionary initiatives and urged the organisers to make the Ohuhu Youth Day an annual event.

Anosike was also honoured with a Visionary Leadership Award by the Ohuhu Youth Wing of the Ohuhu Welfare Union.

The award was presented by the traditional ruler of Umudiawa Autonomous Community, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu.