How to End Terrorism, – Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Sunday in Enugu asked the federal, state and local governments to initiate policies and programmes which would create employment opportunities to check the growing acts of terrorism in the country.
Speaking when he received members of the Governing Board of “Life in My City”, a foundation devoted to the promotion of Arts in the country, led by former Chairman of the Union Bank, Chief Kalu U. Kalu, Ekweremadu said the only way the attention of youths could be taken away from crime and criminalities was for them to be kept busy.
According to him, such acts of terrorism, gangsterism, armed robbery, prostitution, thuggery, drug trafficking among other anti-social vices had remained prevalent because the youths were allowed to remain idle with no clue as to what their future would look like.
While commending the foundation for its efforts in sustaining the growth of arts in the country, the legislator also appealed for increased budgetary allocation for the sector as it would equally go a long way in contributing to the growth of the tourism industry.
“Arts is dear in our hearts here. One thing that makes Africa unique is its potentials in the growth of arts and Nigeria is also a destination for arts. I want to commend those who have taken to the development of arts in Nigeria. We believe that with the calibre of persons here, we are going to see greater prospects for Arts in Nigeria.
“It will also go a long way in reducing unemployment as it will make the youths to be gainfully employed and accordingly take them away from crimes. We want to see this enterprise grow especially with government’s focus in tourism,” Ekweremadu, who received an artistic impression of the biblical “fives loaves of bread and two fishes” which Jesus Christ used to feed the multitude, stated.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and chairman of the board, Chief Kalu commended the lawmaker for his enormous contributions to the growth of Arts in the country, especially the efforts he made in bringing the National Arts Gallery to Enugu State.
Kalu who said the foundation was designed to bring the youths of the country together to help them discover themselves in Arts, noted that the sector when properly harnessed could go a long way in giving the country a new hope for a brighter future.
He however disclosed that funds had remained their major challenge and urged the senator to find ways of assisting them.
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