The Delta State Commissioner for Housing and Supervising Commissioner for Youth Development, Godknows Angele, has pledged to prioritize youth empowerment through skill acquisition and entrepreneurial development, insisting that sustainable empowerment goes beyond cash handouts.
Speaking during his first official interaction at the Ministry of Youth Development, Angele said his appointment by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was a clear indication of the administration’s commitment to the welfare and inclusion of youths in governance.
According to him, youths constitute the largest percentage of Nigeria’s voting population and must therefore be carried along in governance and development programmes.
“I’m Honourable Godknows Angele, Commissioner for Housing, and by the grace of God, His Excellency asked me to supervise the Ministry of Youth Development, so you can address me as Commissioner for Housing and Youth Development,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry was already discussing programmes aimed at equipping young people with entrepreneurial and vocational skills, including the proposed Tertiary Entrepreneur Programme (TEF).
“We want to teach them skills and not just give them money every day. By the time you give them good skills, they can stand on their own. We are not doing it because of elections; we want to impact their lives so they can stand the test of time and raise their families as well,” Angele stated.
Drawing from his experience as a former council chairman, Angele said he understood the needs of young people and would leverage existing youth structures across the state to ensure effective engagement and inclusiveness.
He explained that the ministry would work closely with the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, local government youth bodies, and affiliated ethnic youth associations to strengthen youth participation in governance.
“Youth are my people. I don’t run away from them. Even as Commissioner for Housing, I move to their streets and interact with them directly. Delta youths will know that somebody has come to impact their lives,” he said.
On concerns over political intolerance and the use of social media to insult leaders, the commissioner urged youths to embrace responsible engagement and constructive dialogue.
“The youth nowadays are enlightened. We will continue to organize seminars and meetings to educate them because ignorance is dangerous. There is no need insulting leaders before getting your message across,” he advised.
Angele also reaffirmed the commitment of the Oborevwori administration’s “Meaningful Development, Opportunity for All” agenda to youth empowerment, stressing that the government would continue to place young people at the centre of its programmes and policies.
“Opportunity for all involves the youth, the elderly and the less privileged. His Excellency always involves the youth first because they are important to the development of the state,” he added.
he noted that as an administrator he will work in synergy with the staff of the ministry to actualise the MORE agenda of the governor.
