The Rivers government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment as it inaugurates the Adolescent and Young People Innovation Hub to tackle unemployment amongst young people.

Health commissioner Adaeze Ure made the remark at the unveiling of the hub in Fimie community, Port Harcourt City LGA, on Thursday.

She said that the initiative, which represented a bold and strategic investment in the future of young people, would address issues of unemployment, vulnerability, and other social ills.

Ms Ure explained that the AYP centre was established by the state government in partnership with the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Nigeria through the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria and Project Hope.

Commending the development partners, the commissioner said the initiatives were closely aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s development agenda, including HIV response priorities and commitments to building a resilient, skilled, and productive youth population.

Ms Ure acknowledged that adolescents and young people constituted a significant population, yet they continued to struggle with complex challenges. She said that the challenges included unemployment, limited access to skills, social vulnerability and health risks, particularly in relation to HIV and sexual/reproductive health.

Ms Ure said that the centre’s design, with counselling services, food technology, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and health services, among others, reflected a deep understanding of the diverse needs of young people.

Charles Mensah, CEO of the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, commended the state government for its focus on promoting the welfare of young people. He noted that the programme, aimed at curbing youth restiveness, was designed to accommodate no fewer than 50 trainees per batch of six months’ training.

Mr Mensah said that upon completion of each six-month course, trainees would also be supported with some start-up kits to enable them set up their businesses without stress.

Adeola Seweje, programmes operations manager at Project Hope, commended the Rivers government and partners for actualising a youth-friendly scheme.

Describing unemployment and poverty as key drivers of vulnerability, Seweje assured that the rich curriculum articulated in the program would offer a holistic solution.

(NAN)