A woman leader,
Cynthia Onosede, has advised youth against involvement in oil theft and other related anti-social vices.
Onosede gave the charge at a one-day workshop organised by the Virtuous Women of Niger Delta in collaboration with Youth and Women Plaftform for Ethical Adherent Initiatives in Port Harcourt recently.
She said the activities of some youth in the country, especially in the area of oil theft has affected the livelihood of the Niger Delta people.
According to her, the programme was aimed at sensitizing women on the need for them to rise up and play their expected roles towards curbing this ugly trend.
“We are committed to playing our roles in our families, communities, environment and the society at large toward family economic sustenance and the socio-economic development of our dear country”, she said.
Managing Director of Living Earth Foundation, Dr. Anthony Chiowe on his part, identified the high rate of teenage parenting in rural communities as reasons behind the increasing rate of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.
Chiowe, however, appealed to the government to begin to pay more attention to the development of rural communities, especially in the area of education and youth intervention programmes.
“Our communities are becoming breeding grounds for would-be militants, we need a comprehensive youth intervention programme that looks at aspect of environment, gradually create wealth and not the quick rush to get wealthy”, he said.
On her part, an official of Wetland International Project, Associate and Logistics, Elizabeth Odetola advised women to teach their children ways to be independent through skills acquisition rather than depending so much on government.
“By bringing them up in a good way it would be difficult for them even to turn left or right even to the negative aspect of life.
“Even when you do not get a good job at all, that should not warrant you to join any cult or be involved in oil theft or any other unwholesome activity”, she said.
The theme of the workshop is “The Role of Women in Curbing Oil Theft, Pipeline Vandalism and Youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.” Participants were drawn from Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.