Chinedum Treasure
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Anambra State has accepted a partnership offer from the State Chapter of Girls Guide to deliver a biodiversity conservation and Climate Change Project in line with its mandate to secure the best bargain for Youths in the state.
The project funded by the Global Youth Movement, commenced on October 1, 2024, and is expected to last until September 1, 2025.
State Chairman of the NYCN, Surveyor Obi Chukwudi expressed the willingness of the State Council to engage in the partnership, during a strategic meeting with a delegation from the Anambra State Chapter of the Girls Guide at the State Youth House in Awka.
According to the State Commissioner of Girls Guide, Miss Chinasa Alakwe, the project focuses on biodiversity conservation, which is to educate and empower young girls and women to actively participate in the protection, preservation and improvement of natural resources.
She also said the project also centres around climate action, which is to address pressing environmental challenges such as pollution, flooding, deforestation and erosion.
“It also aims to empower young people to take proactive steps to mitigate these environmental challenges.
“The third focus of the project is on youth empowerment where they will be equipping the young girls and women with the right knowledge and skills they need to become proactive agents of environmental change in their communities, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership.
“Also, the project is looking at gender equality, where we will be promoting the active participation of girls and boys in environmental conservation and community development.
“Under this, we will be using some advocacy components such as training and capacity-building workshops,” she noted.
Alakwe revealed that in line with the thematic activities lined up for the project, they will on January 25, 2025, be having the first training of 50 peer educators that will help them go into the various communities to carry out the project.
She also said mentorship programmes will be provided for the youths in the course of the programme.
Disclosing their intention to go into partnership with local and national stakeholders, the Anambra Girls Guide Commissioner said having identified the NYCN as one of them, they decided to visit the state leadership, expressing delight at the positive response they got.
In his reaction, the Anambra NYCN boss, Surveyor Obi, said the Council is delighted at the efforts being made by the Girls Guides to strategically engage young people in protecting their environment.
He said the Council is willing to drive the partnership to ensure its success in the state.
Obi revealed that the Council with its affiliate organizations and grassroots structure, presents a viable option for gainful partnership for any organization that wants to reach Anambra youth.
“The Girls Guide is a critical partner with the NYCN in what we are doing for Anambra Youths. So, this offer coming from them, is a no-brainer.
“We at the Council, will deploy every of our structure to ensure the successful implementation of this project,” he assured.
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