…Reveals ₦12m Scholarship Support for Imo Youths, Slams Churches and Families Over Failed Values
By Douglas Princemola
Humanitarian activist, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, has cautioned that youths from the South-East and South-South risk being left behind in Nigeria’s empowerment drive, blaming their poor participation on pride, complacency, and weak moral foundations.
Speaking at the Imo Youth Celebration of the 2025 International Youth Day in Owerri, Iyere revealed that while the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Program (YEIDEP) has registered 6.2 million Nigerians, over 5.2 million are from the North, with the South trailing far behind.
He stressed that the imbalance reflects a lack of seriousness among southern youths toward available opportunities, warning that such attitudes could worsen regional underdevelopment.
Iyere also faulted families and churches for failing to instill discipline and values in young people, arguing that a “decayed moral foundation” is part of the reason for their under-empowerment.
Despite his criticisms, Iyere reaffirmed his commitment to youth development, disclosing that he had personally funded over ₦12 million in scholarships through the Skill-Up Imo initiative. He also gave cash rewards to participants during the youth day celebration.
