CUSO International Project Director, Christopher Breauel
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
CUSO International an international volunteer development organisation based in Cross River has restated its resolve to establish 4,500 new youth enterprises in addition to 500 existing ones in the state.
Its Project Director, CUSO International, Mr. Christopher Breauel, stated this in Calabar at a forum to mark the 2015 International Youth Day Celebration.
Breauel said CUSO would also expand the 500 youth enterprises it already established six of the 18 focal council areas it established presence for now in Cross River.
He said the programme covers some of the most important natural resources sectors including agriculture, tourism, forestry and fisheries in the state.
He said that the project was designed under the NGO’S Youth Leadership Entrepreneurship Access and Development Initiative (YouLead) to create employment and take young people off the streets.
He said the programme is funded in partnership with the Canadian Government, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA Canada) and the Cross River Government.
According to him the programme will be run by CUSO International “over the next four years’’ to create 4, 500 new youth enterprises in these sector while expanding 500 existing enterprises.
“We will create 2,000 new jobs in the natural resources sectors,’’ he said.
He said that the initiative is the transferring of skills and monitoring that will occur by coupling experienced Nigerian and Canadian professionals with motivated and talented Nigerian youths.
Breauel said: “More than ever before, meaningful engagement and participation of youths is essential to achieve sustainable human development the world over.
“ Unfortunately, the opportunities for youths to engage politically, economically and socially are often low or non-existent.”
He said that YouLead was designed to empower the youths of Cross River State with the knowledge, skills and confidence to start their own business in the natural resources sector.
He said the project covers the 18 Local Government Areas of the State but in the first, second and third phases, adding that they are operating in six Local Government areas.
“They are Calabar South (Poultry, Fish, Tourism); Odukpani ( Cassava, Fish, Mushroom); Ogoja (Poultry, Livestock-goat, Fish); Obanliku (Rice, Cassava, Fish); Obubra (Cassava, Rice, Oil Palm); and Obudu (Cassava, Honey, Fish).”
CUSO also works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors
It is currently implementing two projects in the state namely; the Voice project in very early stages-focus on improving the quality of health services and the YouLead project.
YouLead also focused on sustainable economic growth, promoting young women and girls’ employment and entrepreneurship in the natural resource sectors.
The theme for this year’s youth day usually held Aug. 12 every year was: “Youth Civic Engagement”.
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