KPOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP NETWORK PAY ADVOCACY VISIT TO THE NULGE CHAIRMAN, DEMANDS FOR TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, INCLUSIVE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

By Our Correspondent

The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), and Kpor Youth Leadership Network in line with its resolve towards accountability of government to the people and the youths and working to reduce youth unemployment in Rivers state visited the National Union of Local Government Employees, Gokana LGA.

During the visit, the representatives of the youth network, urged the union represented by the chairman and other union staff to strengthen the existing employment and empowerment process to make it more transparent, accountable and Inclusive.

The visit was aimed to increase information sharing between employment and empowerment agencies/ministries, youth cohort/statutory bodies and youth leadership network. Also, it is expected to increase collaboration among different agencies and ministries involved in the delivery of youth employment and empowerment programmes.

The youth network asked the Union to play a strong role in making sure there is increased commitment of agency/ministry staffs to implement public sectors best practices on youth employment programmes. The group also urged that the Union should also increase inclusion of the physically challenged and vulnerable groups in the design and implementation of youth employment programmes.

To achieve the above, the network proposed to the Union that a youth for empowerment register be kept at Gokana LGA secretariat for youths to register their names for empowerment opportunities when they are available and such register should be used to create a data base for information sharing and invitation for selection for particular empowerment and employment programmes.

The youth group also proposed that the quota system in the State and LGA whereby empowerment opportunities will be channelled through the National Youth Council, Rivers State chapter should be reviewed to include community leaders and executives of youth organisations who have direct contact with the youths in their communities. The network further demanded that the NULGE chairman use his office to mobilise for more inclusion of community youth leaders through the league of community leaders forum in the selection process of beneficiaries of empowerment schemes.

The NULGE chairman agreed to mobilise his members and use his good office to arrange a meeting between the youth network and the Head of Local Government administration, who is the key officer with the power to effect the proposed changes.

The chairman on behalf of his team lauded the youth group for taking up such selfless assignment and asks for cooperation and continuous communication between both body to see that back-hand practice will be eliminated from the Rivers State youth employment and empowerment programme.

The Kpor Youth Leadership Network promised to work with the Union to achieve the goal of a transparent, accountable and inclusive youth employment and empowerment programmes in Gokana LGA and Rivers State.

About CEHRD

CEHRD is a non-governmental organisation with its head office in 5 Abuja Lane, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. CEHRD was founded on 15th August, 1999. The organisation works in the areas of human and environmental rights, conservation and community development. For more information, please check. www.cehrd.org.ng . info@cehrd.org.ng

About the Networks:

The Kpor Youth Leadership Networks was founded in 2014 by the youths of Kpor through Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development with funding from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP to carry out enlightenment campaign 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 ongoing or upcoming employment and empowerment programmes, advocate for a an equitable distribution of government programmes within the community, L.G.A and senatorial district irrespective of age, gender, status, caste, educational background or disabilities and religious and political affiliation and actively pursue economic opportunities for members both within the network and in the community.