CHIEF COCODIA PRAISES GOV DIRI FOR YOUTH APPOINTMENTS
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has been commended for bringing in lots of youths to participate in the decision making process of the state, as well other areas of his administration.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia , who lauded the Governor for taking the step, said over sixty percent of appointees in the Diri administration, were youths.
Speaking on Youths in Governance in the last 365 days, on a live program on Glory FM 97.1, Wednesday, Chief Cocodia stressed that from the state cabinet, where about six of them are youths, as well as Technical and Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, members of the New Media amongst others.
He added that the progression of youths getting involved in governance since 1999, have contributed towards transforming their mindset, that engaging in positive ventures can attract government’s invitation to be part of the system.
In his words, “You can see that the narrative is changing from what we experienced from 1999, where we saw a lot of youths involved in thuggery and other nefarious activities”.
“Even those days, when we organise programs for youths, what they ask first is if money will be given, and when the answer is no, they will not come. But now there are a lot of sensitization going on, so we are seeing changes in all of that”.
He decried the number of youths channelling their resources into election malpractices and other social vices, cautioning them to desist, and rather engage in meaningful ventures, to better their lives.
The Special Adviser, Political Matters, recounted his activities and achievements as Youth and Sports Commissioner, as well as the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, where according to him, lots of vocational training was done, in collaboration with the Industrial Trust Fund, ITF, and the African Tide.
“When I was Youth Commissioner I did a lot of training for Bayelsans, despite their lethargic attitude towards it. Though it wasn’t easy at first because they wanted money instead of the training, but gradually we overcame it and many youths got involved.”
“Over one hundred Bayelsans got trained in the construction of a Smart House, a project we partnered with the German Government, and as I speak with you, seventy of them will be leaving Bayelsa for Germany to complete their training”.
“And I strongly believe that there are laws established against these vices, and if thugs and criminals are caught and prosecuted alongside their sponsors, am sure the trend will reduce, so for drug addict and cultists.”
The S.A Political appealed to youths to get involve in agriculture, which he described as a money spinner, and making them to be self independent.
High Chief Cocodia, who was a guest alongside State Coordinator of Yiaga Africa, Tari Amanana, also expressed optimism that the prosperity government of Governor Douye Diri, would key into the several training programs initiated under his watch as Commissioner, and even do much more.
