IHEANACHO NWOSU, KENNETH OFOMA, Abakaliki

Addressing the people of the state during the democracy day celebration and presentation of his book at Unity Square, Abakaliki, the state capital, Egwu said that the state government has designed a package of incentives for youth employment and economic independence, which includes the lifting of embargo on employment. It was imposed in 2003.

Governor Egwu said that although his administration has lifted employment and would soon advertise existing vacancies as soon as the computation of the state’s employment needs have been completed, it still believes on its policy thrust of creating enabling environment for private enterprises, which is the trend all over the world.

"We have lifted the embargo on employment and as soon as the committee charged with computation of the employment needs of various agencies and establishments completes its work, employment vacancies will be announced. But more importantly, the current policy thrust of the state government is to create the enabling environment for private sector-driven economy," the Governor said.

Speaking earlier during a Sunday service to mark the 6th democracy anniversary in the state, the governor advised Nigerians to pray for a successful transition in the next general election, saying that only such divine intervention will ensure that the right person emerges as the president. He advised those jostling for the presidency to wait for the outcome of the ongoing national political reform conference, which might come out with new agenda.

He also said that he was aware that many politicians are aspiring to take over his position as governor of Ebonyi State in 2007, saying that much as he wished them good luck in their endeavour, it is important that they commit their ambition to God who takes the final decision.

He assured Ebonyi people that he would never endorse any candidate for the governorship position, but will leave the choice to the people, noting that such endorsement can have a backlash if anything goes wrong in his successor’s demonstration.

At the anniversary celebration, Dr. Egwu reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to sustainable institutional and infrastructural development of the state and renewed his earlier promise to pursue the long-term development needs of Ebonyi People.

Egwu said, "For me this is not only a duty, it is also a challenge to do all in my power towards the realisation of the cherished aspirations of our long neglected people and the fulfilment of the lofty dreams of the founding fathers of the state."

The event started with a review of the book, A Challenge to my Generation written by Dr. Sam Egwu, where Professor Egwu U. Egwu of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki described it as a documentation of Governor Egwu’s political idealogy and the lofty vision he has for Ebonyi and Nigeria.

The book is a collection of Governor Egwu’s speeches from the inception of his domestication since 1999 till date.