IYD 2023: FOYAE empowers PWDs youths, others on green skills literacy, as experts urges youths to channel energy to meeting potentials
As the world gradually shift focus towards the development of an environmentally sustainable, energy-driven and climate-friendly world, a new system of economic transition that focuses more on sophisticated application of environmentally- technological knowledge, innovation and manipulative skills needed to achieve a more sustanable eco-friendly environment and resources-efficient societies.
In an effort to join the rest of the global community in commemorating the 2023 UN backed International Youth Day (IYD), which is globally celebrated on 12th August every year, being a day reserved by the United Nations to reflect on the pressing challenges faced by the youths, proffer practical solutions to such identified challenges and celebrate the achievements of youth round the globe.
The leadership of a youth-focused NGO known as ‘Foundation for Youth Awakening and Empowerment (FOYAE), organized the 2023 IYD celebration at the premise of Gombe State Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation penultimate Saturday purposely to empowers the youths, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Youths, with green skills literacy.
Speaking as a guest speaker during the training, a Director in the Gombe State Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, Mr. Ishaku Kure, identified key areas the youths need to give currency in order to develop green skills for sustainable future.
He said, ” young people are often at the forefront of economic innovation and can derive sustainable solutions and entrepreneurial ventures that addresses environmental challenges”
“They tend to have a fuller understanding of the science of climate changes, its impacts and importance of climate action, knowledge of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro and other renewable energy sources, cursory understanding of sustainable consumption and life style choice (what we use in the environment like trees, plants, water etc), he noted
The seasoned environmentalist also explained that: “equipping young people with green skills can enhance their employability and enable them to pursue meaningful careers in these emerging fields”
He stressed the urgent need for government, educational institutions, nongovernmental organizations NGOs and businesses to play crucial roles in providing opportunities for young people to develop green skills”
Stressing that, ” programmes, workshops and initiatives that focuses on environmental education training and practical experience can help youths become active participants in building sustainable future “
Earlier speaking, a professional, young medical doctor from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Dr. Ibrahim Obel Yaji, who was specially invited by the organizers as a motivator speaker to the young trainees noted that, “several innovative and timely themes have been explored, including Mental Health, Safe Spaces for youth and civic engagement, since the United Nations General Assembly adopted 12 August as a day of commemoration IYD”
“Today, the Shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is critical not only for responding to the global climate crisis but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This transition can only successfully happen if the right green skills are properly developed”
According to the professional medical doctor, ” green skills are Knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes, needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society’’.
These, the medical expert said, “include technical knowledge and skills that enable the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings, as well as transversal skills that draw on range of knowledge, values and attitudes to facilitate environmentally sustainable decisions in work and in life”
He added” Young people need to be well-equipped with green skills so that they can successfully navigate this changing environment and leverage the opportunities that it presents”
While calling for more colaborative actions from the government to facilitate the smooth transition of green skills economy in Gombe state, the medical professional said “the Gombe state government must be deliberate in its investment in the youths of the state”
“Our statistics of out of school children is on the increase, funding on education and youth empowerment remains grossly inadequate” he lamented . Suggesting that, “the empowerment of the Gombe Youths must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound”
“I wish to call on the state government under the leadership of His Excellency ALH. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya Dan Majen Gombe, to increase funding and strengthen polices in the following areas Education,Health care,Agro-allied enterprise, Vocational skills development, Sports and entertainment as well as Political inclusion”
On his part, a multi-award winning, young, promising and vibrant engineer by profession, Engr. John Titus Maibugu, MNSE, MSESN, who was famous in Gombe for his dexterity in handling solar installation, expressed immense appreciation to the FOYAE for its loudable effort in celebrating the youth in Gombe state and the country at large. Most especially by given the youth of the state a sense of direction through youth empowerment, career talk and workshops.
The renowned Engineer who equally spoke to the trainees as a top notch motivator, used the occasion to share with them his experience in Solar Energy Installation and Maintenance , particular when he was the project Engineer with Dershy Global Concept Ltd .
He stated, ” i got the job in 2016, been the only Chemical Engineer among 5 other Electrical Engineers who came for the interview. Furthermore i was able to learn the Traffic light installation, maintenance and programing within the space of 4 months, which before that time my Boss have to flew in from Abuja to program and go back”
“In 2020, when the new Governor of Gombe State came in I was previleged to be called upon by the Ministry of Works and Transport Gombe State to design and come up with a base estimate for the installation of double arm pole Solar powered traffic light on the dual carrige road from Tumfure to Liji”
The popular solar installation guru used the opportunity to admonish the trainees not to relent in seeking knowledge in order to meet their full potentials and achieve lifetime goals.
His words “the need for knowledge and personal development can not be over emphasised to our teeming youth, they should always believe on themselves and ability to excel regardless the background they are coming from, they have all it takes to break the limit and attain greater height in life”
“Finally, I appreciate the deep of knowledge by the Chairman of the occasion Alh. Yaya Hammari, Wazirin Yarima Gombe and also for setting the pace for the youth to emulate. He concluded.
Some of the takes-away highlighted from the workshops Katagum Daily Post reports, include the assertion that by 2030, more than 60% young people are likely to lack the skills required to thrive in the green economy, the belief that young people who are equipped with green skills will be better prepared to act as catalyst who can lead the transition to greener future, the belief that For a successful transition to Green skills oriented economy, there has to be a coordinated effort of public and private sectors. These synergy has the potential to develop new jobs opportunities forthe teaming youths, among other important findings.
Other professional speakers who soke at the occasion include the Alh. Yaya Hamari, who acted as the chairman of occasion during the event, banks representatives, Director Youth Development ministry of Youth Gombe state, representatives of Persons with Disabilities PWDs, representative of National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN, etc.
