Hon. John Terence Ononuju, the spokesman of Imozurukwuo Youths Parliament, a  socio-cultural organization with membership of over 300,000  youths scattered in the 27 Local Governments of Imo state has officially declared his interest for the 2019 Imo governorship race.
Hon. Ononuju who hails from Ochii, Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government  Area of Imo state and who is also the President of Owerri Zone People’s Assembly, OPA said he posses the magic wand to actualize the best for the state if he is elected governor in  2019.
He said the time has come for youths to take over the mantle of leadership in Imo state, while the elders are expected to give maximum support to enable them(Youths) move Imo state forward in the best interest of the entire Imolites.
According to him, his economic plans would be geared towards  harnessing the potentials of the state, promising to use the state natural resources and focus on Agriculture & Technology in boosting the economy of the state. He said this will encourage indigenous and foreign investors to come to the State and contribute to its development.
As part of his plans to encourage youths empowerment, he promised to create a unique platform to that will encourage skilled and unskilled youths stating that it will go a long way in making over 800,000Â jobless Imo youths independent and employers of labour.
According to him, his empowerment scheme will also extend to Imo men and women who are either idle or living below an annual  income of N100,000. He promised to focus his attention on housing, healthcare services, regular payment workers salaries and pensions, quality education, security of lives and property. He added that he will revive the dying  Igbo norms and values in the State.
He frowned at the deplorable state of the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri which has been abandoned for years. He said the stadia will be renovated and upgraded to international standard, promising to build two additional international stadiums in Orlu & Okigwe zones which will not only boost sporting activities but attract national & international sporting events into the state.
In the area of commerce, he promised to build three international markets to be situated at Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones which according to him will make Imo State the envy of other states in Nigeria and boost economic activities in the State.
Onunuju who did not announce the political party he will drive his ambition urged all the political parties fielding candidates in the governorship election  especially the All Progressive Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to rise above party interests as it will not augur well for the state during the elections.
He further advised Imo politicians not to see the 2019 governorship election as a do or die affair, urging his fellow youths to avoid being used as instruments of thuggery and violence before and after the 2019 general elections.
