2027: NGO warns African youths against crime, unveils free innovation hubs

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

A non-governmental organisation, One Youth Global, has unveiled a continental network of youth innovation hubs aimed at helping African youths develop practical solutions to community challenges.

The President of the organisation, UcheChukwu Agbo, who spoke to journalists shortly after the unveiling at the Main Library Complex of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, charged Nigerian youths to desist from crime, and described the facility as a free, fully equipped space designed for young people to build ideas, collaborate, and create solutions.

Agbo said the initiative was a deliberate response to a long-standing challenge across the continent.

“For too long, our young people have had ideas but no platforms, talent but no tools, ambition but no environment to act on.

“The One Youth Hub closes that gap. We are not waiting for the future to be handed to African youth—we are building it with them, one solution at a time.”

He added that the hub aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

In his remarks, Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, described the initiative as timely and visionary.

He commended One Youth Global and EBSU for the partnership and pledged the state government’s continued support for skills development and enterprise.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of EBSU, Prof. Ike-Elechi Ogba, stressed the need to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application.

He noted that the hub would promote hands-on learning, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to produce job-ready graduates.

The Head of Job Creation at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and National Lead of the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Mr. Eliezar Ajah, said the hub should be fully integrated into students’ academic and creative activities, describing its location within the university library as strategic.

Other stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma; EBSU’s Chief Librarian, Dr. Victoria Nwali; renowned writer Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo; and the Managing Director of Afia TV, Chief (Sir) Emeka Mba, described the initiative as a significant step toward advancing youth empowerment, innovation, and collaborative learning in Ebonyi State and beyond.