Hendrix Oliomogbe
Buoyed by the large turnout and the enthusiasm of a cross section of Edo youths at the just concluded boot camp in Benin City, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eire Ifueko Alufuhai weekend in Benin reiterated the determination of the state government to create a safe platforms where young people’s voices can be heard to harness and nurture their talents, creativity and potentials.
Mrs. Alufohai who spoke during the 2023 International Youth Day expressed hope that the participants would have developed competences that contribute to a positive sense of self-control, decision-making, moral system of beliefs, and pro-social connectedness.
The scribe told the over 200 youths drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state that the ministry will soon organize a four month training programme for participants to have the opportunity of building their knowledge and competence in the creative sector.
Mrs. Alufohai added that the theme of the three-day programme, "Green Skills for Youths: Towards Sustainable Development", seeks to underscore the shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world which is critical not only for responding to the global climate crisis but also for achieving sustainable development.
At the programme which was organized by the Edo Skills Development Agency in partnership with GIZ and Romanpage Global, the participants were also lectured on advancement in knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society, especially amongst the youth.
She noted that while green skills are relevant for people of all ages, they have heightened importance for younger people, who can contribute to the green transition for a longer period of time, adding that the boot camp was organized with the core objective to establish a dynamic platform where young people can immerse themselves in purposeful dialogues, workshops, and interactive sessions focused on green skills, creative business awareness, and sustainable progress.
Mrs. Alufohai said: "Our aspiration is to ignite and instil enthusiasm within the young participants, encouraging them to play an active role in shaping a more ecologically balanced and prosperous future not only for Edo State but for the entirety of Nigeria," the permanent.
Against the backdrop of climate change, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Nigeria, Mr. Egosa Erhumwunse said that the theme was very apt considering the fact that environmental issues which presently impact the world negatively needed to be tackled.
Mr. Erhumwunse, a guest said that hand skills which the participants were freely taught are what young people needed to turn things around in a world where the population keeps growing with climate change affecting many things.
A young boot camper, Miss Succees Aisosa commended the initiative by Governor Godwin Obaseki, confessing that she learned a lot within three days and met a lot of mentors who she intends to network with at the end of the programme.
The Nigeria Open University student said: "I must commend the effort of Governor Obaseki, the ministry and GIZ for the support and partnernership with the state government. We want more of this for Edo youths. I have acquired useful skills."
Comments
Post a Comment