The Roles Of Youths In Governance, Political Participation In Post #EndSARS.... Okowa Unveils Plans
"Youths And Young Women Will Get 80-90 Percent Counsellors Slot In 2021".... Latimore Oghenesivbe.
Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has assured youths and young women in the state that they shall constitute 80 to 90 per cent number of counsellors in the forthcoming local government elections slated for the first quarter of 2021.
He also call on the federal government to revamp Warri port and other Seaports in the state so as to create additional jobs, adding that it was time for both states and federal governments to give the youths substantial roles in governance, create jobs for them through direct employment whenever the opportunities arises, as well as vocational training and skills acquisitions supported with starter packs.
The governor who had two marathon meetings with youths on Thursday October 29 and Friday October 30, at Government House Annex Warri and Government House Unity Hall in Asaba, said the federal government need to speed up infrastructure development efforts by taking additional positive steps to revamp key and viable agencies and corporations especially the Warri seaport which is capable of providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs for young graduates, skilled and unskilled labourers.
The governor further stated that the state independent electoral commission DESIEC, has commenced the creation of additional wards as a practical step to address some of the imbalances in the state, mobilize the youths to participate actively in governance and wealth creation through political participation and human capital development.
He revealed that the State Bureau of Jobs and Wealth Creation has been directed to workout strategies to accommodate more youths in the STEP and YAGEP Programmes, increase starter packs and drastically reduce the unemployment rate in the state.
Okowa noted that the Covid-19 pandemic and sharp fall in the price of crude oil in the international market has reduced the speed of socioeconomic development in the state, adding that with the price of a barrel of crude oil at $40, the state government budget proposal of N378 billion will go a long way to enhance the wellbeing and prosperity of Deltans.
The governor posited that Delta State has been doing the needful since 2015, to raise thousands of young entrepreneurs through the now expanded YAGEP and STEP Programmes. He urged the youths to avail themselves with the gains of the jobs and wealth creation programmes by making themselves available for vocational training and skills acquisitions, saying that only those who participated in the training are entitled to the free starter packs and business loans financing windows.
"This administration has been youths friendly as can be seen from the state jobs and wealth creation programmes, political appointments and youths will constitute a larger number of counsellors in the forthcoming local government councils elections.
"We have commenced a credible process of youths integration in governance, and it is a deliberate step to right the wrong and to ensure that the older generation of leaders handover governance and leadership to set of well groomed and experienced youths that will take this state to higher levels in the coming years.
"I am proud of our youths, particularly for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the #EndSars protests before some hoodlums from outside the state hijacked the process and destroyed public and private properties in Asaba, Sapele and elsewhere in the state.
"This administration will expand youths roles in governance through elective offices, political appointments, and direct jobs in the civil service whenever the opportunities arises but with high concentration on vocational training and skills acquisitions.
"It is important that we sustain the synergy between government and the youths. Therefore, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development will continue to work extensively with our youths at a close range for the attainment of set out goals, going forward", Okowa said.
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