RIVERS State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has expressed his administration's readiness to collaborate with the federal government to create programmes that would help youths grow and in turn develop the economy.
Amaechi gave the indication when the Minister of Youths Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor admitted that the nation's economy cannot grow without a deliberate plan for youths to earn their livelihood, adding that the government needed to create the atmosphere that would help youths achieve their economic goals.
He added that his administration would "be glad to partner with you because if we do that we will reduce youth restiveness and crime."
Abdullahi said the visit to Rivers State was in response to the directive by President Goodluck Jonathan to launch the youth empowerment programme for the South-South zone.
The programme, which would have youths in the zone compete for cash prizes with their business plans, is aimed at creating opportunity for young people to grow.
Abdullahi said: "We have chosen Rivers State for the South-South not just because you are the chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), but because you are one of the leading light for us as young people in this country."
The Guardian