It is imperative that empowerment and development in all spheres of life must be pursued by governments at all levels to realise the potentials of the youth.
For statistical purposes, the United Nations (UN) defines Youth as those persons between ages 15 and 24 years.
Currently, there are 1.2 billion young people known as youth globally. They will be accounting for 16 per cent of the global population by 2030, the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that make up the 2030 Agenda.
Apparently, the number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 per cent to nearly 1.3 billion.
The UN has long recognised that the imagination, ideals and energy of young people are vital for the continuing development of the societies in which they live.
It also recognises the young people as rights- holders and has over the years promoted and facilitated transparency, international organisations and others towards young people.
This had led to the identification of fifteen fields of action by the International Community which include, education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, substance abuse, juvenile justice, leisure- time activities, girls and young women and the full effective participation of youth in the life of society in decision making.
Youths globally are increasingly demanding more progressive opportunities and solutions in their societies. The need to address various challenges faced by young people such access to education; health and employment have any more pressing than ever.
Another recognition of young people’s wellbeing, participation and empowerment of key drivers of sustainable development and peace around the world by the UN was the adoption of the 2030 Agenda involving Member States and civil society, including youth organisations in the development of goals and targets.
The responsibility for finding solutions to the challenges affecting young people lies largely with governments, it must seek to create an environment in which youth from different socio- economic backgrounds enjoy access to youth rights, quality education, employment opportunities, health services and youth work, among others.
Today, the world is home to the largest population of young people in history- 1.2 billion people. Meanwhile, close to 90 per cent of the world’s youth live in developing countries where they make up a high proportion of the population.
According to United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), young people are also facing major challenges in both the developed and developing world. While many developed countries have seen prospects for younger generations increase, many developing countries struggle to create enough employment to absorb their demographic youth bulge.
Across the world, today’s youth are three times more likely to be unemployed than other adults with the global youth employment rate standing at 13 per cent.
In Pakistan, young people comprise 36. 9 percent of their population, but their share as entrepreneurs is very less. High illiteracy, low education, lack of skills training and scarce facilities and resources are some of specific challenges young people encounter there.
India has its largest ever adolescent and youth population in the world. Around 66 per cent of the total population (more than 808 billion) is below the age of 35. According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) projections, India will continue to have one of the youngest population in the world till 2030. However, unemployment is a major social issue in India.
According to reports, Africa’s population as a whole is very young, with 60 percent of the entire continent aged below 25, making it the youngest continent in the world, relation to its population makeup.
Subsequently, African youths are facing many challenges, including poverty, inadequate education, unemployment, and lack of opportunity. African youth are also at the risk of becoming victims of crime, HIV/ AIDS and other diseases.
One big challenge is that African youth are often not given the opportunity to learn and grow. This is often due to poverty or poor education. Most often, families do not have the money to send their children to school, thereby not giving the African youth the opportunity to learn component life skills.
Another challenge was that the African youth were often not given a voice. They are often too afraid to speak out because they do not have any power or representation. This means they are not able to change their situation or advocate for themselves.
From statistics, Nigeria has the largest population of youth in the world, with the median age of 18.1 years. About 70 percent of the population are under 30 and 42 percent are under the age 15.
As of August 2022, youths account for 70 per cent of the 217 million of Nigeria’s population which indicates 151million youths.
The size and youthfulness of the population can offer great potential to expand Nigeria’s capacity as the regional economic hub of Africa.
However, in Nigeria, youth face several challenges including unemployment, limited technical and vocational skills, limited inclusion in social and political space and lack of financing for ventures and businesses.
According to an African Research Review by Beatrice Ifeoma Ajufo, unemployment has become a major problem affecting the lives of Nigerian youth, causing increasing militancy, violent crimes, kidnapping, restiveness and socially delinquent behaviour.
“Youth unemployment is devastating to both the individual and the society as a whole both psychologically and economically”, she said.
A Nigerian Economist and President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina stated that the youth are not the problem of Nigeria; the youth are the assets of Nigeria.
He also stated that Nigeria must embark on bolder measures to grow its youth into a well trained globally competitive workforce, noting that, “Nigerian government must invest and empower young people by offering innovative policies, this will guarantee their global competitiveness”.
The youth must be empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as
in that of their communities, helping them to learn vital life-skills, develop knowledge on human rights and citizenship and to promote positive civic action is key.
To participate effectively, young people must be given the proper tools, such as information, education about and access to their civil rights.
Young people are a major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic growth and technological innovation.
Participation in decision-making is a key priority area of the UN agenda on youth. In 1995, on the tenth anniversary of International Youth Year, the United Nations strengthened its commitment to young people by adopting the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), an international strategy to more effectively address their problems and increase opportunities for participation in society.
The international community has reaffirmed its commitment to youth participation through UN General Assembly resolution 58/133, which reiterates the “importance of the full and effective participation of youth and youth organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels in promoting and implementing the World Programme of Action and in evaluating the progress achieved and the obstacles encountered in its implementation”. Subsequent resolutions have also dealt with policies and programmes involving youth as well as promoting youth participation in social and economic development.
This boils down to youth empowerment and helping the youth to succeed in all areas of their lives. It is the responsibility of all governments to assist the youth in any form.
Governments should involve youth by recognising their needs. Allowing them to participate in implementing youth programmes will enhance the empowerment and development process. This responsibility does not only fall on the government but on all of us.

By: Ibinabo Ogolo

It was celebration galore in Choba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, August 12, 2023, as business mogul and Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Choba Park, Sir Ihua Anele successfully gave out his beloved daughter, Victoria in marriage to a dashing youngman, Mr. Jehosiphat.
The traditional marriage which was aptly described as a rich blend of culture, attracted people from all walks of life.
This culminated in the white wedding, holy matrimony the following day at the Dominion Ministries along NTA Road, Port Harcourt, with family members, friends, well-wishers, in-laws, Choba community leaders, business associates and the academia trooping out in their numbers to celebrate the couple.
In his speech, the chief host, Sir Anaele expressed joy over the success of the marriage ceremony.
He said his joy knew no bounds, considering where he is coming from.
The Choba Park chairman urged the couple to tolerate, endure and love each other, as these are the recipe for a successful marriage.
He noted that peace and mutual understanding are also essential ingredients for a successful marriage, and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate with his family.
As it were, the wedding ceremony and the reception were described as one of the best in the Port Harcourt metropolis, as it became the talk of the city at the end of the day.

Last week, countries all over the world observed the International Youth Day (IYD). A day set aside by the United Nations to draw worldwide focus towards various issues affecting youths.
It offers a platform to honour qualities of youth and the potentials that they hold towards development of their societies. The celebration of the day also affords an opportunity for every country to assess their investment in youth as well as appreciate the roles youths play in different sectors of government.
Remarkably, this year’s celebration had as its theme, “Green Skills For Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”.
Here, in Rivers State, the IYD was observed with a sub-theme: “Artificial Intelligence as a Subsisting Spectrum and how Rivers Youth Can Buy In”, at an event that took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt.
The occasion was graced by the Rivers State, Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, though represented by the state Commissioner For Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom.
It is imperative to seek an understanding of what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is. It is  the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.
The youth of today are growing up surrounded by artificial intelligence. Their values, ways of thinking, and moral codes are all shaped not only by their parents or immediate caregivers but also by the technology that is ever-present in their daily lives.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere. AI is not just about robots or self navigating vehicles, it is on the internet, on social media and on smart devices. One of the most common misconceptions about AI is the danger that it can pose. But in the modern world, AI can become an essential piece of technology that can help society progress, as long as it is made for this purpose.
On the other hand, green skills are knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable resource – efficient society.
The need to transition towards more environmentally sustainable modes of production and consumption has become imperative for developed as well as for developing countries.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12 include the target of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable and also achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030.
The greening of the economy will no doubt change the skills required and the tasks involved in many of the existing occupations.
As the world tackles the escalating challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, the involvement of young minds in sustainable initiatives has become more significant than ever.
One of the most effective tools in their depository is Artificial Intelligence which has become known as crucial green skill that empowers youth to address environmental issues and contribute to a sustainable future.
With the ability to analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns and make predictions, AI is revolutionising industries and empowering individuals to develop cutting -edge solutions to environmental challenges.
According to reports, AI can apply powerful predictive capabilities and intelligent grid systems to manage the supply and demand of renewable energy. This can be in form of predicting more accurate weather forecasts, optimize efficiency, cut costs, and unnecessary carbon pollution generation.
This however, comes down to green artificial intelligence which is an artificial intelligence that
uses lower comiputational costs to help reduce carbon emissions. It combines the immense value of artificial intelligence  with the green values that is needed to lower carbon emissions and protect the planet from further climate change.
Green AI can also help optimise traffic flow, reduce energy consumption and improve waste management in cities using AI enabled camera’s and sensors. This can help reduce carbon emissions  and promote sustainable  urban development.
The Green General Skill Index identifies four groups of work tasks important for green occupations. They include, engineering and technical skills, design, construction and assesment of technology. This is needed for eco buildings, renewable energy design and energy saving research and development projects.
Science skills, in high demand in the utility sector that provides basic amenities such as water, sewage services and electricity.
Operation management skills are also required to support green activities in forms through life-cycle management and cooperation  with external actors including customers. Such skills are important and include sales engineers, climate change analysts, sustainability  specialists,  chief sustainability officers and transportation  planners.
Lastly, monitoring skills include  technical and legal aspects of business activities that are fundamentally different from the result of engineering  or science.

They prefer the skills required to assess the observance of technical criteria and legal standards. Some of the skills include environmental compliance inspectors, nuclear monitoring inspectors, nuclear monitoring technicians, emergency management directors, and legal assistants.
In addition to these skills, a range of soft skills are also considered  to be important, not only for green skills, but generally for “skills of the future”. These include design thinking, creating adaptability, artificial intelligence,  resilience and even empathy.
According to statistics, demand for green skills is more than supply. The World Economic Forum( WEF) explains that the environmental  and renewables sector has seen 237% explosion of jobs over the past five years. Worldwide, green talent is on the rise from 9.6% in 2015 to 13.3% in 2021, a growth rate of 38.5% according to Linkedin.
WEF further explains that, more than half of the jobs by 2030 will require an understanding of digital technology. Young people must be able to effectively  use digital tools and platforms  to solve problems and create value.
At the celebration of the 2023 IYD organised by the Rivers State Government and attended by youths from the 23 local government areas of the state, the Rivers State Government restated its resolve to do everything  possible to ensure youth development in the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Education, Prof.Chinedu Mmom, said youths formed the cornerstone of the administration’s development agenda.
At the federal level, President Bola Tinubu had reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to create meaningful opportunities for Nigerian youth, through youth empowerment which is a fundamental pillar of all reform actions being implemented across sectors of the economy.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen at the had charged  Nigerian youths on the imperatives of skills acquisition to explore and use their talents for national development. He stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi to mark this year’s IYD.
He noted that Nigerian youths have abundant talents and resilience which they have exhibited over the years, as well as passion for the country.
The Coca-Cola Foundation which also celebrated this year’s IYD restated its steadfast commitment to empowering Nigerian youths  and cultivating a sustainable future together.
Empowering youths to take the lead for a sustainable future, the Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E) organised a youth summit to foster youth leadership and driving  positive change for the future.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias  Schmale, who spoke during the programme organised by SMILE highlighted the importance of youth acquiring green skills to enable them access green jobs and foster a sustainable world.
The skills needed transition is directly clear. This cannot be done alone. Governmental collaboration with the business community can help build an engine for change and help the whole world  move into greener future that works for everyone.
For Nigerian youths to acquire the capacity to compete for the ever increasing green skills jobs at the global, continental and regional levels, governments at all levels must deliberately empower the youths with knowledge. This talk should not end as a one- day event. By the time of the celebration of International Youth Day  next year, we should be able to take stock and know what progress has been made in this direction.