The Warri South Local Government Area on Wednesday November 23, 2022, played host to the Senior Officers Course 45, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, at the Council’s Secretariat, Warri Delta State.

The tour is part of the curriculum for the senior course of the commanding staff college and the institution has organized a study tour to Delta State as one of the selected states across the country.

During the tour, students from senior course 45 were tasked to conduct research in certain areas of socio-economic, cultural, and security concerns in selected states.

The team, led by Commander F. Onewokae, Supervising Director, Staff College, Jaji, said the theme of the study tour is, “Youth Unemployment and National Security.”

Addressing the team, Dr Michael Tidi, Chairman of the Warri South Council area, said the theme of your study tour was apt considering the state of security in the nation,

“It is a statement of fact that the rising level of unemployment can be attributed for the increase in security challenges in the country,” Tidi said.

The Warri South Council Chairman noted that the council, through its youth empowerment programmes have tried to reduce the level of unemployment in the area within the limit of its finances.

“The Council through the vocational centre located within the Council Secretariat have trained a number of youths in different skills ranging from Tailoring (Fashion Designing), Catering, Computer training (ICT), Hair Dressing and Make up/scalping.

“Again, the Council had also sponsored over 100 youths to acquire skill in welding and fabrication at the Egbokodo Skill Acquisition Centre.

“Presently, the Council is discussing with Courageous Girls, Women and Children Initiative on the training of some girls/women on sustainable solar energy technical training/business start- up empowerment (Energize Naija),” Tidi said.

Tidi, noted that adequate budgetary provision have also been made in the council’s 2023 draft estimate, to enable the Council distribute starter packs to it’s youths who have acquired skills in different areas but could not commence their trade for lack of fund.

Tidi also drew the attention of the Senior Course 45 contingents, to the Warri Port that is laying fallow, stressing that when the facility is put to use, it could generated thousands of job opportunities.

He, therefore enjoined the Senior Course 45, to join their voices to theirs to call on the Federal Government to put the Warri Port to use.

On his part, Commander F. Onewokae, Supervising Director, Staff College, Jaji, who led the team, commended the chairman for his warm reception.

He also comemded the chairman of the council for his peace effort in the council, saying that the result of his efforts have robbed off on not only the council but also the state and beyond.

“We thank you for your effort in combating unemployment in Warri South Council Area. We commend you for all your energy.

“I can see that even in your delivery you were passionate about the things you are doing. And it shows you are doing a lot of community engagement in order to solve these problems and it’s giving us the kind of results that we want.

“We thank you very much that your peace efforts is not only robbing off on Warri South Local Government area but also the whole of Delta state and indeed, the bigger picture of handling National security,” he said.