The Anambra State chapter of the National Youth Council (NYC) has called for the revival of Igbo apprenticeship system known as ‘Igba-boi’ as a form of youth empowerment to reduce the rate of insecurity in the South East.
NYC State Chairman, Samuel Egwuatu, made the call at a youth interactive forum organised by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Awka yesterday.
Egwuatu described the ‘Igba-boi’ apprenticeship system as a process where youths get trained, mentored, empowered and lifted in the act of entrepreneurship by successful businessmen and women.
He said that many highly successful businessmen and entrepreneurs in the South East region today went through such apprenticeship system.
Egwuatu said that the lack of such youth empowerment scheme has contributed to the high rate of kidnapping, violent protests, killings, cult activities and other forms of insecurity in the region.
“It is very unfortunate that many of our youths no longer believe in hard work as they now resort to ‘get-rich-quick’ methods. They get bought over to go commit crimes for money,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Alphonsus Nwoye, the Manager JDPC Onitsha/FCDO project, said the forum was out to understand the challenges of the youth in the state and proffer lasting solutions.
