The Labour Party candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has pledged to prioritise youth development through digital skills, entrepreneurship, sports, STEM education and job-creation initiatives if elected to the House of Representatives.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who made the pledge in a statement commemorating the 2026 International Youth Day, said young people should no longer be regarded merely as “leaders of tomorrow,” stressing that they are already contributing significantly to the development of their communities.

The International Youth Day 2026 is being commemorated under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

She said the aspirations of young people remain largely the same regardless of their circumstances, noting that they desire opportunities to learn, work, create, participate in governance and build dignified futures.

“I refuse to see our youth merely as the leaders of tomorrow. You are leaders today. Your energy, creativity, intelligence and innovation are already shaping our communities,” she said.

The former Ondo State First Lady said her commitment to youth empowerment was demonstrated through her BEMORE initiative, which she founded to equip girls with STEM education, digital skills, entrepreneurship and leadership training.

According to her, thousands of young girls have benefited from the initiative and acquired skills capable of improving their economic independence.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu also identified sports as an important avenue for youth development, arguing that sporting talents could provide young people with opportunities beyond their immediate communities.

She called for deliberate investment in sporting infrastructure in Owerri and the identification, training and sponsorship of talents in tennis, football, athletics, basketball and other sporting disciplines.

“Sports are also a pathway to opportunity, discipline, health, confidence and economic empowerment,” she said, adding that young people should not be compelled to leave Owerri before discovering and developing their potential.

She envisioned an Owerri where young people could confidently say, “I can learn here. I can build here. I can play here. I can create here. I can earn here. I can lead here.”

The Labour Party candidate pledged that, if elected, youth development would form a major component of her legislative agenda.

She promised to champion greater access to digital and technology skills, STEM education, entrepreneurship and vocational training, sports development, scholarships, internships, grants and private-sector partnerships.

She also listed agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, creative and digital industries among areas she would promote to create economic opportunities for young people.

According to her, youth participation in governance would also receive attention, stressing that policies affecting young people should not be formulated without their input.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu, however, said youth empowerment must go beyond programmes, noting that systemic challenges such as poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, weak educational institutions, inadequate healthcare and insecurity must also be addressed.

‘Youths deserve more than political mobilisation’
The former governor’s wife warned against the practice of mobilising young people during elections only to abandon them afterwards.

“For too long, Nigerian youths have been courted during elections and forgotten afterwards,” she said.
“I do not want your votes merely because you are young. I want your partnership because your future is inseparable from the future of Owerri.”

She further urged youths to reject political violence, thuggery, misinformation and electoral manipulation, saying their energy and intelligence should instead be channelled into productive ventures.

“I will not encourage you to become instruments of political violence, thuggery, misinformation or electoral manipulation. Your intelligence and energy are far too valuable to be sacrificed to the ambitions of politicians,” she said.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu said emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, renewable energy, biotechnology and the creative economy were creating opportunities that Owerri could not afford to miss.

She urged young people in the constituency to partner with her in building a future where they could develop their talents and contribute meaningfully to society.
“I am not asking you to wait for the future. Let us build it together,” she said.

She added that her track record through BEMORE and her involvement in sports demonstrated that her commitment to youth empowerment was not an election-season promise.

“Your dreams are valid. Your talents matter. Your voices must be heard. And your future must be protected,” Anyanwu-Akeredolu said.

She concluded by saluting young people in Owerri Federal Constituency for their resilience and contributions to society, urging them to embrace the shared aspirations captured in the International Youth Day theme.
“Different contexts. Common aspirations. One shared future,” she said.