A three day capacity building training has been organised for youths in Abia, to sensitize and train them on how to boost their potentiality as well as become active players in matters that concern them.
The programme which was organized by Great Dawn Organization in partnership with NEWMAP, World Bank and other organizations was held in Umuahia, with the theme, “Growing in the midst of Turmoil”.
In his address, the convener, Izuchukwu Izuchukwu, a 400Level Law student of American University, Yola, told the youth to be the change they want and how they can grow even in the midst of difficulties.
According to him, youths can still be a voice and key players in policy making only if they will change their mindset and see themselves as a solution rather than a problem.
Izuchukwu stated that time has past, where youths would shoulder their whole problems on the government, pointing out that when the youths are empowered positively, they can contribute their own quota in the society, thereby reducing the rate of suicide and youth restiveness.
Speaking on the theme, Izuchukwu said the essence of the capacity training was to empower the youths to become better citizens as well as take their rightful place in the family and society.
He said young people in Nigeria have been neglected and the youths have not done enough for their voice to be heard, adding that if the youths can imbibe a positive thinking, acquire a skill and find a problem they can solve, then the society would be a better place.
Also,the project coordinator, Abia NEWMAP, Mr Izuchukwu Onwughara, called the youths to look beyond themselves,as all they need to become what they want to become is inside of them.
Mr Onwughara said youths should focus on how to improve on themselves, discover their vision and pursue it.
While thanking the organisers for putting up such a programme, he said the capacity training would afford youths the opportunity of learning a skill, improve on their lives, as well as boost their mental ability, thereby reducing the rate of youth’s involvement in restiveness and other vices.
The NEWMAP project coordinator further disclosed that Abia NEWMAP decided to support the programme not because it falls under its social responsibility but because the training was centred on enhancing the livelihood of persons,which NEWMAP was known for.
Mr Onwughara further disclosed that NEWMAP has contributed in alleviating the suffering of Abians through its projects that address erosion menace in the state, stating that presently more roads and water channels are open for awards.
