By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – In a bid to tackle youths unemployment and idleness, the Kaduna state government in collaboration with aid foundation and support from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), have organized a town hall meeting with youths of the state, providing them with information on government employment and empowerment opportunities in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The meeting themed, ‘Increasing Accountability and Inclusion’ was aimed at creating a platform for youths to engage with all youth Employment and Empowerment MDAs so as to asked questions on how they can benefit from government programs.
Speaking during the meeting On Tuesday In Kaduna, North-west Nigeria, the permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture, Musa Adamu, said the essence of the program was to create a platform where youths of the state can be in the picture of what government does so as to key into, for their benefit.
He said some of the young people don’t know what government has but with this offer, it creates an opportunity for them to know what is done at each government MDAs; saying, “The key thing here is providing information on activities of various MDAs towards youth empowerment and employment programs for the youths to harness, encouraging inclusive governance.”
Also speaking, Director General, Bureau for Public Service Reform in the Ministry, Bashir Mohammed, noted that the program also intends to bring out ways for youths to know where to find engagements in the ministry’s website as well as opportunity for interaction with government.
He added that the state has various plan in terms of employment and empowerment opportunities targeted at the youths, as government is trying to expand the state’s economy by inviting many investors into the state.
While making his remarks, Executive Director of aid foundation, Emmanuel Bonet, noted that communication is key to security, as such when more youths are aware of the plans government has for them, they become interested as they are carried alone and are engaged – thereby reducing youth restiveness which results to violence.
“Technical group come to tell them what they do and all the processes; they can ask questions where necessary to enhance trust,” he posited.
He added that his Foundation works with Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as well as NSRP because their activities centered on youths. “We are working to see how youth restiveness can be curbing because it easily leads to conflicts.”
Some of the MDAs that made presentations on their activities and how the youths can benefit include; The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Ministry of Agriculture, Kaduna state Rehabilitation Board, and the Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA).
