Clement Isong Foundation Applauds Akwa Ibom Government’s Youth Empowerment Initiatives, Calls for Sustainable Approach, Implementation
The Clement Isong Foundation (CIF), a youth-led public policy focused organization, has commended the recent announcement by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Umo Eno over youth empowerment initiatives in the State.
Governor Umo Eno had announced the empowerment of 100,000 youths across the 31 local government areas, plans to create a separate Ministry for Youth Development, establishment of a database for youth employment among others.
In a press release made available to newsmen, the Clement Isong Foundation said these developments align closely with the organisation’s mission to strengthen governance systems, socio-economic wellbeing, and human capital development in Nigeria and Africa.
The organization said they acknowledge that these positive steps are, in part, a result of sustained advocacy efforts by various stakeholders, including CIF.
The release added ” Our advocacy work has been significantly supported by the Strategic Partnership Agreement II (SPAII) project, a four-year (2022 – 2025) initiative supported by ActionAid and funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
“The SPAII project aims to improve the realization of fundamental human and democratic rights, sustainable livelihoods, resilience, and protection for young people, especially young women living in marginalization, including in disaster and protracted crises contexts.”
CIF said they celebrate the following commitments made by the government:
Empowerment of 100,000 youths across the 31 local government areas, creation of a separate Ministry for Youth Development, establishment of a database for youth employment, various financial support schemes, including
N50,000 one-off business support for 60,000 youths.
Other commitments included support for 10,000 youths through the ARISE Entrepreneurial Scheme, employment of 3,000 youths in the Ibom Community Watch, payment for the training for 1,000 participants at DAKKADA Skills Acquisition Center, increased bursaries for tertiary students and grants for students with disabilities, support for 2,000 youths through the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme and agribusiness support for 3,000 youths.
CIF said the initiatives by the government resonate strongly with the goals of the SPAII project, particularly in improving sustainable livelihoods and resilience for young people.
The Organization applauded Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to appointing a Commissioner not older than 45 years to lead the new Youth Development Ministry, stating that it aligns with their vision of promoting an ideal, inclusive, and sustainable society.
The Foundation said in line with the values and the objectives of the SPAII project, they urge the government to detail its funding strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiatives.
For transparency and accountability, they recommend the government to establish a public dashboard to track the progress and impact of these initiatives, ensure transparency in beneficiary selection and fund disbursement.
CIF recommended to the government to conduct regular labour market assessments to ensure that skills training aligns with market demands and emerging economic opportunities.
While commending the inclusion of students with disabilities in the grant program, CIF recommended extending the approach across all initiatives, particularly focusing on marginalized youth and young women as emphasized in the SPAII project.
On Policy and Governance Reforms, the Foundation called for the active participation of youth in policy formulation and implementation within the planned Youth Development Ministry.
The Clement Isong Foundation also asked for education and institutional capacity strengthening through a balanced approach that emphasizes long-term skills development, education, and sustainable job creation, in addition to immediate financial support.
Other recommendation included civic education and human rights explaining that in the light of the governor’s comments on protests, they recommend incorporating comprehensive civic education programs to foster informed and active citizenship among the youth, aligning with the SPAII project’s focus on fundamental human and democratic rights.
The organization asked for resilience building by calling on the government to incorporate programs that enhance youth resilience, particularly in the face of economic challenges and potential crises, as highlighted in the SPAII project objectives.
The release added “The Clement Isong Foundation, drawing on its years of experience and the support of the SPAII project, stands ready to collaborate with the government in the implementation and monitoring of these initiatives. We believe that with proper execution and continuous engagement with youth stakeholders, these programs can significantly impact youth development in Akwa Ibom State, furthering the legacy of our namesake, late Chief (Dr.) Clement Nyong Isong, CFR.
“We invite other stakeholders, potential donors, and partners to join us in this transformative journey, making a lasting impact on society and contributing to a brighter, more equitable future for all.”