A security expert, Anthony Emeka Eze, has called on youths in Enugu State to shun every overture by enemy of the State to recruit them for violence.

Emeka Eze who is the head Trainer & Manager Assets Protection For Executive Protection Services (EPS) a Canada-based security firm, in a statement titled, “A Clarion Call to Enugu State Youths: Shun Violence, Embrace Peace and Progress”, enjoined the youths to be positive players in the state’s democratic space and the country at large.

He also congratulated the State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on his victory at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, even as he called on opposition parties to throw-in the towel and stop distracting the governor.

The Canada-based security expert pledged to support the Governor in actualizing his bold vision to grow the State’s economy from the $4.4 billion level to $30 billion within the next eight years.

He said that ensuring even security is paramount in the administration’s vision of ensuring 0% rate in the State poverty headcount index hence the youth must show solidarity to the government by giving peace a chance.

“My message to umu Enugu (Enugu youth) today is that you must not let yourselves be used as willing tools by do-or-die politicians and businessmen who want to stir up trouble in their communities. Instead, you must embrace the tenets of dynamism and root out every factor that contributes to the socio-economic deficit in Enugu State, namely armed violence, kidnapping, thuggery and other vices.

If we want to continue to State to work, and for the government to deliver dividends of democracy, we must take the critical issues of security very seriously. Everyone is involved. The youth must take the lead by shunning activities capable of weakening our communities. The issues of unknown gunmen, kidnapping, armed robbery, arson and other vices should be countered by patriotism, service to the fatherland, and youth inclusivity.
“Enugu youth can be a creative force to encourage Gov. Mbah; a dynamic source of innovations, and they have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzed important changes in power-sharing dynamics, and economic opportunities and political systems.”

Eze who described youth (armed) violence a serious problem that can have lasting harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities, pledged his readiness to work with the State government to stop youth violence from happening in the first place.

“The impact of armed violence extends further, negatively influencing development, peace and good governance, often by creating a climate of impunity, corruption and by undermining public institutions. It is also closely tied with transnational crime and the misery and abuse associated with the illegal trafficking of arms, drugs and people”.

“On the other hand, I am optimistic that results from Gov. Mbah’s good governance designed to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation, will usher in a new Enugu State that all of us will be proud of”, he said.