Ugwuanyi promises his administration’s continued support to ESUT

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state has promised his administration’s continued support to the growth and development of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Ugwuanyi made the promise on Thursday at a national conference, with the theme, “Harnessing the potential of youths in Nigeria in support of the African Union and ECOWAS Peace Architecture,’’ organised by the university.

He commended the West African Network for Peace (WANEP) and Baywood Foundation for supporting the Institute for Peace, Conflict and Development Studies (IPCDS).

He underscored the importance of peace, especially where it involved the active population of the youth.

“My administration will continue to support ESUT and the institute to succeed,” the governor said.

ALSO READ: Why South West states must revive reading culture ― Akeredolu

He said that government was doing its best to empower and reposition Enugu youths for greatness.

He said that the state had the most robust youth practical skill acquisition system in the country, tagged ‘one youth, one skill programme’.

“We have also built and renovated many primary, post-primary and tertiary institutions; with a lot of ongoing development projects on ESUT campuses,’’ the governor said.

According to him, the state government will continue to encourage peace building mechanism to ensure greater national cohesion necessary for development.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Luke Anike, described the theme of the conference as germane because of the prevailing level of insecurity in the country.

Anike said: “Insecurity in our time has manifested in numerous and disturbing forms, the most virulent being acts of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry of varying dimensions.

“Truth is that in whatever form insecurity manifests, the general public is imperilled, lives and property are lost, and this places a huge question mark on our level of development and civilisation as a people.’’

Also, the Director of the institute, Prof. Felix Asogwa, said that the progress of any nation depended largely on peace and security.

“People must seek to dialogue and make peace through positive and purposeful communication.

“There is this necessity to have peace and manage peace and that is what the institute sets out to achieve,’’ Asogwa said.

According to him, the institute will bring a solution to issues, such as land disputes and traditional leadership tussles, which could trigger off conflicts among communities and localities in the South-East.

He said that the institute, which runs post-graduate programmes in the Faculty of Social Sciences, had South-East, South-South and Sub-African region as its catchment areas.

“Those expected to apply include military and para-military personnel, politicians, religious and community leaders as well as Nigerians and Africans who have interest in peace,’’ Asogwa said.

Mr Baywood Ibe, Founder, Baywood Foundation, said that his organisation was interested in peacebuilding across Africa.

Ibe said that the target was the youths, who would be expected to pursue peace and becoming the agents of peace themselves.

He said that the foundation would continue to support the institute to build on its capacity to deliver on its objectives and mandates.

He said that Africa, especially Nigeria, needed peace in all its ramifications to succeed.

The Executive Director of WANEP, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeh, commended the foundation for supporting the institute and other groups that promote peace and abhore violence, bloodshed and destruction in Africa.

Eze promised that the organisation would also support the institute’s initiatives to create dynamism for professional skills and resources needed to build and sustain peace in Nigeria and Africa generally.

Highlights of the conference included the donation of 200 books on conflict resolution and management to the new institute by Baywood foundation.