YOUTH GROUPS URGE GOVT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN RIVERS STATE TO MAKE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES MORE TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, INCLUSIVE

The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Marine Base, Okana and Kpor Youth Leadership Networks in line with its resolve towards accountability of government to the people and the youths and working to reduce youth unemployment in Rivers state went on air on WAZOBIA FM to discuss on Youth Unemployment and Employment Laws in Rivers state.

 

During the Live Radio show at Wazobia on 26th February 2016; the representatives of Marine base youth network, urged the Rivers State government, ministries and agencies, to improve the existing employment and empowerment process to make it more transparent, accountable and Inclusive. 

Speaking during the show, the chairman Okana Youth Leadership Network, Benjamin Enighenabo said that the system of asking youth chairmen to nominate community youth members for empowerment may continue to encourage corruption and unwholesome practices.  

The Youths urged Heads and Employment committee chairmen of different youth related ministries, parastatals, agencies and organisations to make sure they creates wide publicity on available opportunities and monitor selection process against set criteria developed
by the ministries, parastatals and agencies. The group also asked that provision should be made for the physically challenged and the marginalized as well as equal representation for both male and female youth members. If employed, it will go a long way to strengthen recruitment and empowerment processes thereby ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity and as well eliminate corruption in the system. 

The Programme enjoyed wide reception and public knowledge as more than 30 callers and WhatsApp messages spread across different local governments in the Rivers state praised the effort of the youth leadership networks and expressed interest in joining cause with the networks to further put the issue in the front burner and advocate to relevant authorities for a change.

 

Relevant government officers in the ministries and agencies involved in youth employment and empowerment programmes confirmed listening to the programmes and are making necessary changes and showing support by making their youth employment and empowerment process more transparent, accountable and inclusive.

About CEHRD

CEHRD is a non-governmental organisation with its head office in 19 Okomoko Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital and branch office in the Ogale community in the Eleme Local Government Area (LGA). 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.

 

About the Networks

The Okana, Kpor and Marine Base Youth Leadership Network was founded in 2014 by the youths of Okana, Kpor and Marine Base community 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 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.