Okorocha said in Owerri on Tuesday at the launch of 25,000 jobs under the “Imo Youths Must Work’’ programme that insecurity was fuelled by idleness caused by unemployment.
“An idle mind is the devil’s workshop; armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorism are all fuelled by unemployment,’’ he said.
The governor said that his administration was determined to end the problem by providing jobs for the youths under the programme.
“The nation cannot work unless the youth is working; that is why this administration is committed to providing jobs for the numerous unemployed youths in the state,’’ he said.
He said that as part of the state’s contributions to the fight against insecurity, 7,000 youths were employed in the Imo community watch as extra security measure while 2,000 were employed in the Imo civil guard.
Okorocha urged Nigerians to unite regardless of tribe or political affiliation to end the insecurity challenge facing the country.
“All Nigerians should unite and close ranks to end the ugly situation of incessant bombings and kidnappings in the country.
“This is not the time to apportion blame on any political party or to use the situation as campaign strategy.
“What we should be discussing now is how to end the ugly situation we have found ourselves,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Kenneth Emelu, said the programme would harness the skills of unemployed youths in the state.
He expressed the hope that the impact of the programme would help to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and poverty induced immorality.
“With the implementation of the programme, there will be zero idleness that will engender unwholesome and devilish thoughts in the minds of the youths thereby effectively eradicating crime,” he said.
The commissioner appealed to companies and corporate organisations in the state to partner with the government to provide jobs through skills acquisition and empowerment schemes. (NAN)
