The member representing Anaocha Constituency Two in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu says the growing lack of interest by Igbo youths in Igbo Apprenticeship, popularly known as “Igba boyi” should be a source of worry to every Igbo lover......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
According to him, despite recent observable dishonesty among the parties involved, benefits accruing from the arrangements far outweigh the demerits.
Speaking during an advocacy campaign visit of members of the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) to his office, the lawmaker enumerated the reasons behind his introduction of the bill.
He said aside from addressing crimes and unemployment, the scheme which he described as an informal form of education, would teach the youth how to marry, relate with their wives, train their children, and gain more contracts.
According to Okechukwu, who doubles as Chairman, of the House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation, the commission to be established by the bill, would in partnership with any higher institution of learning issue beneficiaries with diploma certificates.
He said the bill, which has passed through a second reading and currently waiting for public hearings, has come to salvage the situation, while providing a regulatory framework to ensure fair treatment of apprentices and establish minimum standards for training, including mechanisms for resolving disputes among parties through a commission.
“This is an informal type of education. By engaging in it, you will learn a lot from your master. You will learn how to marry, relate with your wife and train your children, relate well with your customers, and attract more contracts.
“At the end, the commission to be established by the bill, will in partnership with any higher institution of learning issue you with a diploma certificate. The commission will also assist in settling any dispute arising from Ịgba boyi.”
While canvassing support from the younger generation in sensitizing the public about the bill, Okechukwu assured that beneficiaries, through the bill, would not only be placed under the mentorship of experienced artisans or business owners to serve over some time but would learn to succeed in trade, family and other ways of life.
The lawmaker, who had sponsored over 20 motions and several bills, also seized the opportunity to sensitize the youth on his new bill, the Anambra State Mental Health bill, which he said would address issues of depression, and anxiety, among other vices through the services of trained and professional psychologists and doctors.
He further enumerated the importance of the Anambra State E-Governance bill also introduced by him, noting that it would help in monitoring and tracking government projects for inclusive and good governance to hold the government accountable and prevent misappropriation of public funds.
Responding, Executive Director, CATYCOI, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, lauded the State House of Assembly especially Hon. Okechukwu for legislating on policies capable of engendering community development.
Orakwe, who recalled that his civil society group had trained and empowered 30 youth across the 30 Constituencies in Anambra State on policy-making, assured their readiness to contribute favorably to drafting, monitoring, and implementing government policies through mass sensitizations of people.