The governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has decried the high rate of poverty and unemployment among youths in Nigeria, particularly in Ebonyi State.

Odii spoke on Tuesday in a statement issued to newsmen in Abakaliki to mark this year’s International Youth Day.
The PDP chieftain declared his total support for the youths of the state, adding that the theme of this year’s International Youth Day, ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond’, is very apt and could not be more relevant and urgent..

Parts of the statement read: “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) speak of a future that is inclusive, just, innovative, and humane. But that future can not be achieved unless we take seriously the local realities of our youth population whose lives, resilience, and cutting-edge solutions are central to our progress.
“In Ebonyi State today, the vast potential of our young people is being obstructed, not by lack of talent, energy, or ambition, but by a systemic failure of leadership and governance to deliver meaningful opportunities for sustainable development and progress. The manifest reality is that Ebonyi youth continue to grapple in excruciating socio-economic challenges.
“Available statistics shows that ‘endemic poverty remains widespread, with up to 79.8% of Ebonyians living below the poverty line, and 78% of them trapped in multi-dimensional poverty, including orchestrated deprivation in access to healthcare, sanitation, education, clean water, nutrition, and housing.

“Ebonyi, also ranks ’32nd out of 36 states, in the Ease of Doing Business Index,’ placing it last among Southeastern states. More unfortunate, we have failed to attract any ‘Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the period of 2023 till date,’ unlike our Southeastern counterparts, which secured several multi-million-dollar industrial projects. The 2024 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE)
“Index, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative released in early 2025 assesses state-level transparency and accountability via audit practices. Ebonyi was at 34th place (out of 36 states), scoring just 7%.
“This low ranking suggests poor audit efficacy and limited transparency in public financial management.These realities represents not just statistics but shattered dreams and wasted possibilities.

“Similarly, youth unemployment and underemployment remain alarmingly high. Tens of thousands of graduates and school leavers roam the streets without jobs or access to sustainable livelihoods.
“The local economy, skewed toward patronage and extractive politics, fails to offer our youths meaningful space for innovation or entrepreneurship. And the rising cost of living continues to choke our underpaid working-class and vulnerable households.
“Food insecurity, housing shortages, and outrageously rising house rent, as well as decaying infrastructure, paint a grim picture of survival, not progress. The foregoing and more are pressing realities of great concern calling for solutions.

“Regardless, it is worthy of note that amid these challenges, through resilience, Ebonyi youth remain spirited, enterprising, and courageous, building small ventures, leading start-ups, breaking barriers in sports, entertainment, fashion, and community organizing.
“It gladens to know that our youths are doing so without reasonable systemic support, often with limited capital, and in the face of apathy from those in power. But trust me, this paradox of enormous potential trapped by poor governance must end someday, especially if we unite our voices.
“This isn’t just my hope but the true representation of my deepest commitment. And while we brace up on the path forward, we must transition our collective hope for a better Ebonyi into meaningful actions.
“As your biggest fan, I charge and invite you all to actively participate in building a functional leadership system that would believe in and support you, not a governance structure that weaponizes poverty or stifles your momentum as a control mechanism.”

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