The chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Mr. Kingsley Ibanichuka, has called on the private sector to assist the government to build up the youth by creating employment opportunities for them.
Mr. Ibanichuka made the call during the 2012 International Youth Day celebrations at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, August 12, 2012.
Mr. Ibanichuka who appreciated the efforts of the State Government towards youth employment in the state, stressed the need for the private sector to partner with the government to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths.
He added that such would go a long way to ensure mass employment of youths, reducing idleness and crime in the state.
The state youth boss decried the inability of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, operating in Oyigbo LGA to employ the indigenes of the area.
According to him, the Shell Company has been operating in the LGA for 50 years but refused to employ the indigenes which made the youths of the area to protest against them.
Mr. Ibanichuka who disclosed that he intervened in the youths’ peaceful demonstration with his team, and gave Shell one month’s ultimatum to employ the indigenes.
He vowed not to use violence in the matter and appealed to the state government to intervene.
In his speech at the ceremony, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who congratulated the youths and others for participating in this year’s International Youths Day celebrations, said there is need to celebrate the day with the theme “Building a Better World Partnering with the youths”, stressing that building cannot be kept out in the system, rather should ensure decency, development and employment, among the youths.
Governor Amaechi who was represented by Hon. Nabs Imegwa, the Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said his administration was determined to ensure quality education across the state, hence policies were put in place to enable youths to realize their potentials and enjoined them to be loyal to the government to benefit from the policies.
Earlier in his speech, Hon. Owene Wonodi, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth, noted that the youth day celebration is an annual event celebrated on every 12th of August.
According to him, it is a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize and honour the youths, stressing that it is a time to take stock of the youth situation and give honour and acknowledgement for their contributions to the socio-cultural, economic and political development of the state. He said it was a period to critically analyze their needs in order of priority and urgency and to encourage good behaviour and advised them on the way forward.
Hon. Wonodi recalled activities put in place by the ministry to commemorate the event such as thanksgiving service, economic empowerment, competition for the youths which comprises writing a competitive good business plan on micro business, SME, and seminar on entrepreneurship development, as well as a colourful match pass by school children and uniformed voluntary youth organizations and non-governmental organizations.
The commissioner said the government has made several efforts to improve the lives of the youths and urged them to partner with the state government to move the state forward, not allowing themselves to be manipulated and used as tools for the destruction of the country. He assured that the present administration will provide the enabling environment for them to actualize their dreams.
The highlight of the event was presentation of prizes to the first, second and third place winners. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
