Some youths in Rivers State have identified the engagement of young persons by the government in decision making, creation of jobs, and the legalization of artisanal oil refinery as a panacea to youth restiveness, illegal oil bunkering, and cultism in the state.
The youths who made this known at a Roundtable on Pathway to National Cohesion, Development and Unity, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Port Harcourt, also called for an end to the nefarious activities of herdsmen in the state and the relocation of the headquarters of multi-national oil companies to their operational base.
Chairman of Rivers State chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Nwisabari Bani, who described the Roundtable as very crucial in the light of happenings in Rivers State, commended NOA for the programme and called for implementation of the recommendations of the round table
The Vice Chairman of Rivers West senatorial district of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Joshua, emphasized the importance of youth engagement.
He explained that the non-engagement of youths within the region in meaningful ventures leads to issues of youth restiveness, oil bunkering, and cultism.
In his address, the State Director of NOA in Rivers State, Dr. Edward Banigo, said the programme is geared towards building humanity and how the youths can utilise various government programmes to tackle cultism, youth restiveness, and illegal oil bunkering in the state.
He emphasized the need for human capital development, mostly among the youth, and also encouraged the youth to take advantage of various government programs and initiatives like the NELFUND, Nigeria Youth Academy, and the campus debate organized by the NOA for all tertiary institutions in the state.
Dr. Banigo advised them to change their perspectives and trust the implementation of government programmes and policies.
