Creating Job Opportunities For Rivers Youths

The Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Youth Development has taken another step towards the eradication of youth unemployment in the state. The effort involves the exposure of youths in the state to the available job opportunities in the market as well as stimulate in them, an entrepreneurial spirit through appropriate information.

This was the outcome of the just concluded workshops organised by the Ministry of Youth Development for youths of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.

The first among the series of the seminars and workshops was held in Ahoada for youths of Ahoada East, Bonny, Akuku Toru, Asari-Toru, Ogba Egbema/Ndoni, Abual/Odual Ahoada West and Degema Local Government Areas.

Similarly, Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government was the venue for youths of Khana, Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni and Eleme Local Government Areas.

Port Harcourt, the State capital, hosted the one for the Rivers East, which include Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor Emohua, Etche, Ikwerre and Okrika Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi who led other dignitaries and government officials to all the venues, explained that the programme was part of the effort of the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi led administration, to create the right atmosphere with a view to stimulating entrepreneurial spirit  among the teeming population of unemployed youths in the state.

Sir. Wonodi described the theme of the seminar which is, “Acquisition of Relevant Information to Achieving Economic Self-reliance” as apt, as it is meant to expose Rivers youths to employment opportunities in the market.

While blaming the high rate of unemployment in the state on lack of information, the commissioner regretted that while youths from other states of the federation were grabbing these opportunities to improve themselves, the situation was different with Rivers youths who were watching for manna to fall from above. He, however, vowed that the government was ready to correct the situation.

The commissioner said that the administration had since inception, put in place basic socio-economic infrastructures to fast-track the economic development of the state.

He listed some of these to include, the setting up of the Rivers State Micro-Finance Agency (RIMA) and the provision of N5 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) fund to be accessed by Rivers people to create wealth and jobs in the 2013 appropriation law.

Sir Wonodi described the effort as a rare opportunity unrivalled in the history of Rivers State and urged them to form cooperative to access the opportunities.

In his word; “I therefore advised you to come together, from viable cooperative societies in your various communities to enable you access the fund.

“The world is waiting for nobody as new inventions and opportunities are evolving everyday, for those ready to take up the challenge.”

He further assured that the administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for youths to actualise their dreams and warned them against being manipulated and used as tools to destroy the state.

The State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Samuel Eyiba at the Ahoada workshop, said that the government has created a conducive environment for both Rivers and non Rivers people to realise their dreams.

He listed some of the programme to include: the annual overseas scholarship programme for Rivers youths, construction of model schools, model health centres and agricultural Plantations across the state.

The governor said that the introduction of Free Medical Care Programme was to assist the poor and vulnerable groups of people and urged them to explore these opportunities to improve themselves.

The Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi and her Women Affairs counterpart, Joeba West who were at the Ahoada and Port Harcourt workshops respectively, described the programme as the first of its kind by any government in the country.

They noted that, the programme would equip the participants with the necessary tools to become self employed.

Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi particularly commended the Ministry of Youth Development for the programme, noting that it was in line with what her ministry was doing.

Hon. Victoria Nyeche, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly said that the government has taken a bold step to give – Rivers youths the right kind of information they needed to develop themselves.

Hon. Nyeche said, the Rivers State House of Assembly on its part would put in place an enabling law that will ensure youth empowerment in the state and urged the participants to make the best use of these opportunities to improve themselves.

In her lecture titled, “Youth as Vanguard of Security and Peace in our Communities” Dr. Carmelita Agborubere urged for the inclusion of youths in the decision making process of the society.

Dr. Agborubere also called for the involvement of young mediators and experts in the training of young people for special action programmes for youth in peace and security matters.

“There should be need to raise awareness on issues of peer mediation in schools. Also, the use of mass media and modern communication technologies are important tools for mobilising youths and for facilitating, encouraging and building their capacity to take their rightful place in the development and political processes of their countries” she said.

Lectures were also delivered on Formation of Cooperative Societies for Economic Transformation in Rivers State, environmental  awareness campaign, focus on youth economic wellbeing as well as role of moral to youth development.

In attendance at the three venues were a number of youth groups. These include, the Rivers State Youth Movement (RYM), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State, Rivers Youth Movement, Ogoni Youth Council (OYC) among others.

Officials of these youth groups who spoke to newsmen described the programme as timely as it would help their members to break the cycle of unemployment.