Skills acquisition antidote to crime, says Anambra lawmaker

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By Madu Obi

The member representing Awka South 1 constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Henry Mbachu has said that digital skills acquisition has the capacity to reduce crime, as it can keep young people busy and provide them with an opportunity to earn a decent living.

Mbachu spoke while providing free Wi-fi to his constituents, in collaboration with Airtel Nigeria.

Addressing the beneficiaries, who were represented by their village heads in Awka and Okpuno communities, as well as representatives of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Paul University, both in his constituency, the lawmaker observed that modern world belonged to the internet.

He said the Wi-Fi project was part of the revolutions he would bring in the area to make a difference. Decrying the growing incidence of crime in Awka, the lawmaker said with youth engagement in the internet for

electronic business(e-business) and sundry useful digital activities, crime rates would definitely reduce.

He identified the welfare of the people, particularly that of the youths and the widows, as his priority, stating that it should not be a sole responsibility of government.

According to him, there is the need for partnership with the private sector to provide services for the people.

Mbachu said he had bankrolled the Wi-fi services for the people of Awka and Okpuno for a period of one year, subject to renewal.

The free Wi-fi, he added, would be installed at Unizik and Paul University communities,10 Secondary Schools and the 44 village squares in the constituency.

He assured the people of the area of more human development projects and good governance, describing the two elements as the hallmark of the Labour Party(LP), on whose platform he was elected.

The representative of Airtel, Mr Jerry Ani, urged the youths to do genuine businesses with the Wi-fi, and announced that Airtel would launch its 5-G network in Awka next month to boost services.

Dr Nelson Omenugha, the special adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on youth matters said Mbachu's initiative.was in line with Soludo's agenda of making Anambra a digital state.