Amaechi Opens First Rivers Youth Parliament

The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has proclaimed the first Rivers State Youth parliament open.

The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Power, Hon Augustine   Nwokocha also said that with the proclamation, the parliament could now hold its session at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi says the youth parliament is neither a pressure group nor a parallel body to the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

Sir Wonodi, who said this on Wednesday during the inauguration of the first Rivers State Youth Parliament in Port Harcourt, described it as an important tool in the development of Rivers youths, especially in the field of politics and democracy.

‘Politics is a noble calling for men and women who have put the needs of others above theirs and have decided to make public service their life long career while democracy is politics at its best.

These young people will learn the virtues of patience and cooperation, attributes that will guide them to becoming batter servants of their people,” he said.

The commissioner also said that Rivers politics needs new blood, adding that this parliament will provide a new generation of politicians that will benefit from all the experiences of the old to become better and take the state to enviable heights.

It stressed the need for the parliamentarian to see their new calling as an opportunity to serve their fellow youths in particular and the entire state in general, as well as learn to be true representatives of the people.

The speaker of the parliament, Rt Hon Ijok Emmanuel Emmanuel, who was elected unopposed, said that the inauguration was an indication that young people in the state have been fully integrated into the administration of the state.

Hon Emmanuel, who represented Andoni constituency, also said that the parliament will ensure the protection of the interest of Rivers youths, noting that they will advise government when necessary on issues that concern the youth in the state.