The Bayelsa State Government has partnered a not-for-profit organisation, Silec Initiatives on the elimination of social vices in communities and empowering young people of the state with skills and other life transforming support.
As putting the youth in the scheme of things is the thrust of Bayelsa, the Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, has redoubled his efforts and commitment to transform the lives of the youth by engaging them in meaningful socio-economic activities so as to disarm social vices that could serve as hindrance to development in the state in line with his Prosperity Agenda.
A statement by Amb. Sunny Irakpo, the Founder/President of Silec Initiatives, said the giant strides of the governor have been seen in various aspects, including infrastructural development. In fulfilling his promises to the people of Bayelsa State, particularly the youth.
He said the governor has once again taken a brilliant step by extending collaboration to Silec Initiatives, a pragmatic and foremost non-profit making organization of international repute to help address critical issues as it affects the youth.
In an official letter of approval addressed to the founder, Silec initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo as conveyed through the office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs Owanari Rowland Harry, a passionate public servant, states: “I am glad to inform you that the office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Governor of Bayelsa State His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri , a lover of youth and the man of the people has graciously approved the partnership proposal of your noble organization Silec Initiatives whose programs and activities across the globe are commendable and impactful, to implement value based and life transforming programs that will promote the state in line with the Prosperity Agenda (Seven Pillars) A.S.S.U.R.ED of His Excellency for purposeful youth engagement, infrastructural and social development, and economic growth which our office rides to attract potential investors for rapid development to the state.”
Responding to the partnership, Founder/President Silec Initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo, Anti-drug Advocate, U.S. Government Exchange alumnus of the International Visitor’s Leadership Exchange Program (IVLP) in Combating Drug Addiction and opioid crisis, Certified by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on drug prevention ,treatment and care sensitization thanked His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri for putting the youth in the forefront in his Prosperity Agenda, exemplified by extending a hand of partnership to SILEC in order to help develop the youth of the state for national and global competitiveness.
He said: “Your Excellency, let me use this medium to appreciate you for appointing a dynamic, disciplined, result- oriented young professional in the person of Owanari Rowland Harry, whose work will continue to resonate in the state and beyond. It is my conviction that the appointment of Mrs Owanari Rowland Harry as the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Executive Governor of the state will be of immense value as she will use her wealth of experience to empower the youth of the state to be economically engaged and prevent them from involving in social vices such as drugs and substance abuse ,criminality and prostitution that can put the state in bad light. This exceptional and youth concern leadership is commendable. Together, we shall do more.”
It will be recalled that in 2022 Silec Initiatives, took the anti-drug campaign to the Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan community in Otuoke, Bayelsa state and Partners with the Church of Nigeria Diocese of Ogbia (Anglican Communion) under His Lordship Rt. Revd. James Oruwori. As a result of the huge success recorded, there was clamour for more SILEC presence in the state to help rescue the youth from social vices bedeviling the youth.
Amb. Sunny Irakpo, however, appealed to the youth to shun social vices and join this life transforming movement that will attract development in line with His Excellency Prosperity Agenda. He further calls on other governors to emulate this leadership example to give more meaning to the lives of the youth in Nigeria.