By Amos Okioma
The Bayelsa Government says it will spend N407 million to train youths in solar energy this year.
The state Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Collins Cocodia, disclosed this on Friday in Yenagoa during the ongoing inter-ministerial briefing on Gov. Seriake Dickson six years in office.So far, the Commissioner of works and Infrastructure,Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, Commissioner of Health, Prof Ebitimitula Etebu, Commissioner of Energy Jim Ogbodo and Engr.Olice Kemenanbor , Commissioner for Sports Development have given their ministries stewardship.The program will enter its second week on Monday.
The commissioner of Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson said the event , which started on Jan. 22, was part of activities to mark the governor’s six years in office from Feb 14, 2012 to 2018
The commissioner said as at 2017, 100 youths were trained in automobile driving school with the ministry of youth development.
He also disclosed that 627 youths were equally trained in a pilot programme tagged “Catch them young’’.
Cocodia added that the ministry has been able to meet with foreign partners to discuss how to train youths in foreign countries.
He stated that his mission in the ministry was to train and build youths with sense of hope and self-confidence where they can compete in the larger society.
“I have been able to meet with youth presidents of every community in Bayelsa in an interactive sessions for the way forward and betterment of youth.He also disclosed that his ministry will soon embark on Entertainment Clinic during which renowned actors and actresses will be invited to train Bayelsa youths on cinematography,editing,script writing, filming, Directing and allied areas.
According to him, the ministry would utilise its N2 billion budgetary allocation to engage more youths with other training programmes in 2018.
He lamented that most foreign organizations which had agreed to collaborate with state funding and expertise had reneged on their promises due to insecurity, kidnapping in the Niger Delta Region and other anti- social behaviors and pleaded and prayed that those that constitute this menace should have a rethink .
He urged youths in the state to take skill acquisition programmes serious to enable them actualise their dreams.
Meanwhile, the state commissioner for Sport Development said the state will have fictional stadia in all three senatorial districts, aside the Samson Siasia Sport Complex afford Bayelsan tap from the latent potentials inherent in sport as unifying , promotion of peace and employment opportunities.He said the ministry will ensure that Bayelsan excel in sport where it has comparative advantages.
