The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has pledged to make youth development and agriculture key priorities of his administration if elected in the 2027 governorship election.

Anosike made the pledge while speaking at the Ohuhu Youth Day held at Afugiri Central School, Ohuhu, where he called on youths in the state to support his governorship ambition.

He said any government without a clear programme for young people lacked an understanding of the future, stressing that youths would play a critical role in the development of society.

“Any government that does not have a programme for the youths does not understand the future because the youths are the future,” he said.

Anosike identified agriculture as a major avenue for tackling unemployment and improving food security in Abia.

He said his proposed welfare agenda would include Operation Feed Abia, a back-to-farm initiative designed to encourage and engage young people in agriculture.

The PDP candidate commended the leadership of Ohuhu youths for its efforts in agriculture, information and communication technology and other areas of youth development.

He also announced a N1 million donation to support the group’s agricultural programme.

Beyond agriculture, Anosike promised to create opportunities for young people in Abia to secure virtual employment with companies in Asia and Europe through a proposed Abia Global Opportunity Agency.

“If elected, we will go beyond this. We intend to start programmes whereby even if you are in any part of Abia State, you can work in companies in Asia or Europe through what we call the Abia Global Opportunity Agency,” he said.

He urged the Ohuhu youths to regard his 2027 governorship bid as a collective project and support his aspiration.

Anosike added that he remained willing to support youth-focused initiatives across the state.

The Chairman of the event, Royal High Chief Ugochukwu Edozie, commended the Ohuhu youth leadership for what he described as visionary programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people.

Edozie also called for the Ohuhu Youth Day to become an annual event.

Earlier, the President of the Ohuhu Welfare Union Youth Wing, Chief Uchenna Iheanacho, disclosed that the organisation had empowered more than 300 people through farming and skills-acquisition programmes.

Iheanacho said the group needed about N75 million to implement the next phase of its projects.

The proposed programmes include an agriculture and free farming loan scheme, anti-drug abuse and anti-cultism campaigns, health awareness initiatives, ICT training for 50 students and vocational training.

He appealed to government agencies, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the group in achieving its objectives.

Anosike was also honoured at the event with a Visionary Leadership Award by the Ohuhu Youth Wing of the Ohuhu Welfare Union.

The award was presented to him by the traditional ruler of Umudiawa Autonomous Community, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu.