Okorocha suggests alternative to N5,000 for youths

Governor Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha on Monday suggested an alternative way of assisting the youths and the downtrodden instead of giving them N5000 stipends to unemployed Nigerian youths.
According to him, giving physical cash was not necessary.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, in Abuja, the governor said that giving the money may create more problems than anyone could think of.
According to him, it may lead to marrying a harem of women as wives and increased intake of alcoholic drinks.
He said that it would have been a great idea to pay the money but, there are many other ways to redeem the pledge.
“To be honest with you, it is a great idea, but there are many ways to give that support. Sometimes it could be in cash which has its negative challenges. Handling of that is also in itself a wonderful and great idea. Take for instance, in Imo State now, they used to do what they called empowerment. They buy motorcycles and give people N5,000 or N10,000, for me that is not my style.

“My style is to declare free education, from primary, secondary to university. Nobody pays one naira in Imo state. The very poor people who have to ensure a lot of social inconveniences of school fees are no longer doing that. What has happened is that she has saved that money to produce further wealth.
“So, if you keep money through that system, it creates more impact than physical cash. Physical cash sometimes ends up in taking of beer and increasing number of wives. Physical cash sometimes creates more problems, so it is great idea, we have to do it one way or the other as time comes.”
Speaking on the anti-corruption war of President Buhari, Okorocha said that the fight was paying off.

“We need to deal with this issue of corruption. The awareness is enough now, and people are conscious of the fact that, corruption is not good for our nation. And I will say that it is the right move in the right direction and it will help the future direction of Nigerians and people must see public funds as public fund. So far, so good, we are not there yet, but I believe we will get there,” he said.
Asked if the president was getting the required support, he said “Yes, it is something endemic and has been there for so long. As he opens one door another is opened. The whole thing is quiet enormous. The legal process is one thing again because, the rule of law, justice, fairness, fair hearing and all that are the challenges of getting things done.”