Abakaliki: Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to engage youths in practical agriculture, noting that hunger and idleness fuel online anger and misinformation. Nwifuru made the call on Friday in Abakaliki when the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, paid him a courtesy visit during the minister’s tour of federal projects in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nwifuru emphasized that engaging youths in practical agriculture would channel their energy and potential into meaningful ventures, deterring them from destructive activities on social media. He suggested imposing restrictions on social media usage to curb the spread of unfounded information about national development, while also clarifying that the government’s intention is to protect, not control, the youth.
Nwifuru reminisced about the past when owning a farm was a source of pride for young people, contrasting it with the current disinterest in agriculture among youths. He advocated for serious restrictions on the dissemination of unfounded stories on social media, citing instances where false information, such as premature death announcements, circulates without consequence.
Commenting on the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nwifuru remarked that many ministries’ activities are under-reported, overshadowed by the focus on the Ministries of Works and the Federal Capital Territory. He highlighted the historic appointment of an Igbo man, Chief David Umahi, as Minister of Works, praising Umahi’s commitment and expressing confidence in his capabilities.
Nwifuru expressed optimism about Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing the president’s achievements in physical infrastructure and human capital development across the nation. He assured full support from the people of Ebonyi to achieve this goal.
The governor also praised President Tinubu for establishing the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has benefited over 400,000 students, and commended the Ebonyi postgraduate scholarship scheme for its role in advancing the education of indigenes at Masters and Doctorate levels in local and foreign universities.