Unemployment: South-South Chambers to train over 50,000 youths

Irked by the increase in unemployment rate and consequently inbreed of youth restiveness, Forum of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCIMA) has concluded plans to train and capture over 50,000 unemployed youths in the South-South zone of the country for empowerment programme. Nigerian youths South South Zone comprises Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Delta State, Edo State and Rivers State. FOSSCIMA President, Billy Gillis-Harry, who disclosed this to Vanguard on telephone in Abuja , said the forum will capture over 50,000 unemployed youths and train them on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) . The forum which will hold its first ever regional International Trade Fair in Port Harcourt for a period of 21 days in April this year, according to him, is a four-in-one objectives which the forum aims to achieved. “It is a four components trade fair – one is for campaign of peace and security in the zone, two: for economic progress if the region and three: is that, we are going to utilize the trade fair to register over 50,000 unemployed youths across the South-South zone and see how best the forum can help in training and empowerment and lastly: is the trade fair itself,”he said. He regretted that many youths now engage in violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, illegal bunkering and fuel sales, and illegal importation of arms, most of which have reached alarming levels in several Nigerian cities. In the South-South zone especially, Harry bemoaned that youths have formed different gangs engaged in kidnapping, blowing up of oil pipelines, raping, oil bunkering and operation of illegal refineries, among other criminal activities. “Hundreds of jobless and poor youths have died from explosions trying to scoop petrol from broken oil pipelines or overturned oil tankers.” He said over 500 companies from across the country and the West African sub-region would participate at the event which he is optimistic would be one of the best trade fairs in Nigeria.” In addition, Harry said    renowned corporate groups from the European Union will equally grace the event as the foreign firms have duly express their indications to participate in the fair. According to him, “The 1st South-South International Trade Fair is a multidimensional trade fair which will provide an ideal and perfect business matchmaking platform for manufacturer, importers, service providers, investors and visitors to meet and discuss business opportunities.” Throwing more light on the RUMSSY project, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the trade fair, Hon Austine Atakpu, said,” RUMSSY 2016 will not only provide opportunity for these unemployed youths to connect with prospective employers, but an avenue for them to gain skills and knowledge needed to reach their career goals.” According to Atakpu, the fair with its theme.’ Growing the South-South Economy to Establish Enduring Peace and Security of the Region to impact Nigeria,’ would also incorporate “Nights of stars,’ a talent hunt project to identify, showcase and enable potential young change makers from the region to actualize their talent entertainment industry.  

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/unemployment-south-south-chambers-to-train-over-50000-youths/