Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council and the Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, has urged privileged Nigerians to invest more in human development as a means to address youth agitation and unemployment.
Asadu, who is also the traditional ruler of Edem Ani in Ogwugwu, Nsukka, made this call during a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, July 28.
Emphasising the importance of human development, Asadu argued that it is a critical strategy for tackling socio-economic challenges.
He shared his own philanthropic efforts, noting that he and his wife have donated N63 million to youths this year, constructed a road in his community, and built eight houses for indigent residents. Additionally, he has improved local infrastructure by installing water reticulation systems and has empowered 25 youths, whom he brought to Abuja in May.
Asadu challenged both privileged individuals and the government to focus on youth development, asserting that without adequate empowerment, meaningful progress is limited.
“Nigerians need to wake up and engage the youths because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he stated.
Drawing from his global experiences, Asadu highlighted Nigeria’s significant youth population, which ranks among the top 10 countries worldwide with a demographic between 20 and 50 years old. He also emphasised the need for the federal government to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change into its development plans.
The former professional nurse and now traditional ruler has been deeply involved in humanitarian work, including managing a food bank at his palace that serves over 250 people daily for the past five years. In 2018, he built a 20-bed hospital worth N70 million, which provides free medical services to the public.
Asadu encouraged youths to make sincere promises to God, suggesting that such commitments can lead to divine upliftment. He advised against making promises one cannot keep, as dishonesty is viewed negatively in spiritual contexts.
“I see the world as a football field where one plays and scores goals. If you fail to focus, you can’t achieve much,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that humanitarian efforts not only offer spiritual rewards but also have the potential to mitigate socio-economic challenges, reduce insecurity, and foster overall development. He urged youths to show respect for their parents and authorities, noting that respect for parents is uniquely blessed in religious teachings.
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