The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) continued its grassroots outreach in Bayelsa State, bringing youth leaders and representatives together for an interactive engagement focused on opportunity, inclusion, empowerment and the role of young people in the development of the region.
The engagement was led by the SSDC Bayelsa State Representative, Hon. Charles Zuofa, alongside the Commission’s South-West Regional Representative, Hon. Bukola Braimoh and provided an important platform to listen directly to the aspirations, concerns and ideas of Bayelsa youths.
Participants included Comrade Dr. Patrick Inebaraye, Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC); Comrade Ebi Kutu Ayibakuro, National Woman Leader, IYC Worldwide; Comrade Ibibo Praise Bomanazibe, Women Leader, IYC Central Zone; Comrade Kokoriko Raphael, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bayelsa State Chapter; and Comrade Deacon Robert Igali, JP, Director-General, Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, among other youth stakeholders.
The conversation underscored the importance of moving beyond speaking for young people to creating platforms where they can speak, participate, contribute ideas and help shape interventions that affect their future.
With its youthful population and enormous human potential, the South-South cannot achieve its full development ambitions without its young people at the centre of the journey. The SSDC remains committed to building partnerships that translate that potential into skills, enterprise, innovation, employment opportunities and meaningful participation in regional development.
The future of the South-South is not something our youths should simply inherit, they must help build it.
