After two years of teamwork, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and the Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development have unveiled a groundbreaking youth development policy.
This policy is all about addressing the needs of young people in the state, with a strong focus on inclusivity, accountability, and good governance.
Christiana Ibinabo Idasefiema, SDN’s Project Officer under the Governance Pillar, called the policy a “significant milestone” during a recent handover ceremony in Port Harcourt.
This policy is a result of SDN’s ongoing efforts to support state governments in developing policies that benefit local communities.
She disclosed that SDN has been working closely with communities in the Niger Delta, impacted by the oil and gas industry, weak governance, and environmental issues.
According to her, the policy aims to Promote Inclusivity by ensuring that all young people have equal opportunities and access to resources, as well as Foster Accountability, through encouraging transparency and responsibility in governance.
Also, to Support Good Governance, by establishing effective and responsive leadership.
She added that the collaborative effort demonstrates SDN’s commitment to empowering communities and promoting democratic governance.
“Today marks the culmination of hard work and series of engagements to produce a policy that speaks to the needs of young people,” she said.
She noted that the policy covers key thematic areas, including ICT, agriculture, and the creative industry, aimed at harnessing young people’s skills and promoting development and wealth creation.
She added, “SDN remains committed to ensuring the policy’s implementation, with a focus on persons with disabilities and the girl child. The organization believes that this policy will provide opportunities for young people’s skills to be harnessed, leading to development and wealth creation.”
Reacting, the Rivers State Commissioner of Youth Development, Dr. Chisom Gbali, lauded the new youth development plan as a “game-changer” for the state.
He disclosed that the plan, developed in collaboration with SDN, marks a significant shift from “planning for” to “planning with” youths, empowering 80% of the state’s 8 million residents.
According to Gbali, this comprehensive plan is what the state has been craving – a directional policy and program to guide state activities.
“This is actually what we have been yearning for, this is actually what the youths of Rivers State and even other states need at this precarious time – a direction policy and programme that will guide activities, programme of State,” he said.
Gbali assured that the governor will receive the document and expressed confidence in its potential impact.
“The Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara will be delighted to receive this document. And we will pass it expressly to him because he is the founding document and driving force of Rivers State today,” he said.
The Commissioner praised SDN for their efforts, describing their work as “the best of its kind” and a testament to the organization’s commitment to youth development.
He emphasized that previous administrations had struggled to provide direction for youth development, but this plan marks a new beginning.
With the plan’s implementation, Gbali anticipates positive feedback and tangible results within the first tenure of Governor Fubara’s administration.
He concluded by encouraging Stakeholder Democracy Network to continue their good work, emphasizing that “Rivers State is ready, our doors are open.”
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Community Resource Development Foundation (CREDEF), Franklin Nelson, one of the partners of the project, emphasized the importance of policy implementation.
“We want this policy to be implemented, as it covers almost everything every youth needs to get to the next level in life,” he said.