By Obiorah Anthony Awka.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has expressed its uncommon hope that the Federal Government would divert the recovered money from the fuel subsidy removal to revamping of the nation's health sector, education, rail way ,agriculture and other critical infrastructural development in the country to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal among the teeming suffering Nigerians.
The Anambra State Director, National Orientation Agency,Awka Sir. Joseph Uchendu, made the assertion in his key note address at a One Day Programme organized by the Agency for all registered youth organizations in the State and other relevant organizations in the oil sector in the State.
The event which was held in the corporate headquarters of the National Orientation Agency in Awka ,afforded the NOA State Director, the opportunity to brief the participants on the reasons behind the removal of the fuel subsidy by Federal Government and the anticipated benefits therein.
Sir. Uchendu, who also took the youths on the National Youths Volunteer Service Programme of the Federal Government and National Core Values Campaign ,said that the removal of the fuel subsidy in the Country by the Federal Government was long overdue with a view to saving the nation's economy and social life from total collapse.
He stated that the National Youths Volunteer Service Programme of the Federal Government was a nationwide event designed to promote the spirit and culture of volunteersim and community service among Nigerian youths.
According him, it was a platform for the youths to develop a sense of citizenship, patriotism, lifelong learning and critical social skills that would enhance their personal development and growth in the Country.
In her contribution, the Deputy Director ,Special Duties of NOA in Awka, Mrs. Ifeoma Chijioke, affirmed that the above human oriented programmes of the Federal Government were designed with a view to exposing Nigerian youths to what the Federal Government has in stock for them and all the benefits that would affect their Iives positively.
From him, the President -General Anambra State Association of Town Unions ,Youth Wing ,Comrade Ken. Okoli,said that the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was not the problem of the Nigerian youths but lack of trust of the Nigerian leaders by the youths.
Also the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Anambra State, Ambassador Sir Emeka Obi ,represented in the event by the Programmes Officer of the Council, Comrade John Maduegbuna, remarked that it would
have been much more better had it been that the Federal Government refurbished the nations ill fated refineries before embarking on the removal of the fuel subsidy to save the people from untold hardship.