By Our Correspondent

As part of its mission and objectives to promote transparency, accountability and inclusivity 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 has 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.

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 which is 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 group urged the Rivers State government to institute a review team comprising of youths from key youth organisations and other stakeholders to review the existing youth empowerment policy and update it to reflect the challenges discovered in the implementation of youth empowerment programmes and in line with best practice. When effective, the new document will help to build trust between the youths and the government agencies and lead to collaboration and improved benefits for all.

They further called on Heads of Government Agencies to put youths searching for entrepreneurial and technical trainings in their agenda in 2016 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.