By Francis Sadhere

As part of its mission and objectives to promote transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in the design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of youth empowerment and employment programmes in Rivers State, some youth groups known as Kpor, Okana and Marine base Youth Leadership Networks have tasked the Rivers State government headed by Chief Nyesom Wike on job creation and creating a level playing ground for youths in the State to access these economic opportunities.

A cross section of the youth group

This was part of the outcomes of the meetings of the groups held recently at Kpor, Okana and Marine base communities in Rivers State.

The meeting which was facilitated by Port Harcourt based Non-Governmental Organization known as Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD in conjunction with Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme NSRP, a programme of the British Council, was aimed at exploring avenues of ensuring that the youths in the community and its environs are meaningfully engaged through the youth empowerment and employment programs of the government.
Michael Chidozie and Queen Agba, CEHRD’s Project officers who facilitated the meeting on behalf of the organizations disclosed that the meeting was part of a youth empowerment project being implemented in Okana, Marine base and Kpor and other communities in the state by the organization on behalf of the NSRP aimed at reducing violence in the society.

“It is believed that if the employment and empowerment process is improved and youths are meaningfully and gainfully engaged, they will not have time to indulge in violence or restiveness”, said Michael Chidozie shortly after the meeting.

The organisation also urged the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Youth Employment and Empowerment to strengthen existing laws and monitor recruitment and empowerment processes, to ensure that everyone is given equal opportunity.

The networks disclosed that they have scheduled interactive sessions with Directors of ministries, agencies and enterprises in the State with 50 youth leaders and youth members from each three local government of Abual Odual, Gokana and Marine base communities.

According to the chairman of Okana network, “we plan to use the interactive session to establish synergy with the Rivers State Government, Youth Employment and Empowerment committee of the State House of Assembly and other ministries, agencies and enterprises to understand the plans and programmes of the lawmakers and heads of ministries, agencies and enterprises especially in areas of making laws that will promote transparency, accountability and inclusivity in youth employment and empowerment during their legislative deliberations and functions and provide programme to empower the youth.”

“We believe that gainful employment for the youth will give them a voice of their own and make them good ambassadors of our dear Rivers state. It will help them to shun violence,” said the chairman of the Okana base network, Benjamin Enighenabo.
They further called on Heads of Government Agencies to put youths searching for entrepreneurial and technical trainings in their agenda in 2016 (as we move into the New Year) through a transparent, accountable and inclusive recruitment and empowerment process.

About the Network

The Kpor, Okana and Marine base Youth Leadership Networks were formed in 2014 by the youths of Kpor community through Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development with support from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP to carry out enlightenment campaigns within the community on the importance of using non-violent actions in the demand for economic opportunities for the youths, enlighten communities on how to key into government’s employment and empowerment programmes, and advocate for an equitable distribution of government programmes within the community, L.G.A and senatorial district.