Bayelsa Youth Commissioner unveils Programmes for 2018

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, High Chief Collins Cocodia has officially unveiled restoration government policies and programmes of his ministry targeted at developing youths and women of the State for 2018. 

Highlighting the various programmes outlined for the youths in 2018 fiscal year, High Chief Cocodia said restoration government has engaged German government to train youths on Solar energy for fifteen months aimed at tackling electricity problem faced by the State,  adding that 32% of the funds will be provided by the State, while 68% of funds will be provided by a Non-Governmental Organization, African Tide,  stressing the programme will afford the opportunity to reduce unemployment and boost the State economy. 

According to him, restoration government has also concluded plans with reputable countries and organizations on the training of youths and women in aviation sector adding that N1.5m has been earmarked for each trainee that will partake in the program.

 Our Bayelsa State Correspondent reports that High Chief Collins Cocodia stated this while presenting his ministry scorecard of six years of restoration government held at Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, said restoration government has collaborated with institutions, organizations and agencies in the training of youths in various skills acquisition, adding that most beneficiaries of the programs has been meaningfully engaged and create wealth that make them self-reliant.

According to him, the government always ensure effective monitoring and supervision of her trainees in every centre to attain optimal result, adding, youths are becoming more vibrant, focus and responsible due to the reorientation and awareness and training programs packaged for them, affirming government determination to positively engage the entertainment industry in rebranding the mindsets of youths in the State. 

He noted that restoration government has done a lot in the area of training, capacity building and empowerment which has drastically reduced youth restiveness and idleness, adding that restoration government is determined to do more and finish strong. 

His words, “when this government came on board, we first of all reorient, create awareness to change the minds of our youths to take them away from cultism. We made collaborations and engagements with various African and European countries and reputable organizations which my discussions dwelled on youth training. We also met with various youth bodies across the State primarily to tackle insecurity situation that was prevailing the state and give them a new mindset and we have trained youths on event planning, shoe and belt making, welding, GSM repairing, catering services, dishes etc. the government met with National Peace Corps of Nigeria to increase recruitment of Bayelsa youths, which today they have increased it from 300 -1,500.

As part of effort to take the youths from the street, restoration government trained 300 youths on pipe fixing, plumbing and give them starter-packs in collaboration with Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

We took a proactive measure to secondary schools to train students on skills acquisition as a way of 'Catching them young' syndrome.  The students were trained on producing air freshener, perfumes, soaps and so on", he stated. 

Meanwhile, his counterpart in the Ministry of Sports Development, Hon. Perekiye John Buruboyefe said Sports has changed the perception and orientation of youths it has brought unity, friendliness and people from all walks of life together and increases the revenue base of the State. 

He noted that restoration government has constructed sports infrastructures and equipped with modern sporting facilities in the three senatorial districts of the State, adding that most of the sports facilities embarked upon by the State government is near completion for efficient utilization.

Highlighting some of the projects embarked on, Hon. Buruboyefe said Samson Siasia Sports Complex has been upgraded to meet international standard and equipped with modern facilities, noting that government has completed sports facilities including the Gulf Course Estate which according to him has a guest house, church, school and 18 golf holes in the State.

According to him, Bayelsa Sports Academy was designed to produce able sports men and women, adding "government was not intended to end at certificate level but National diploma. Unfortunately the academy end at JSS1 class for now", he stated.

He commended Bayelsans who have made a milestone achievements through sports, wrestling and others sporting activities to make Bayelsa an envy for all.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial/Agency Briefing and former Ambassador, Prof. (Amb.) Lawrence Ebgebu, advised youths in the State to shun cultism, illegal activities and vandalism of government valuable facilities, while calling on government at all level to positively engage youths in life transforming programs to enable them earn a livelihood.

Prof. Ebgebu thanked the Dickson led government, called on youths of Bayelsa State to queue into various opportunities as well as empowerment programs to enable them have a significant role to play in a democratic society.

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