In keeping with its mandate to secure the best bargain for Anambra Youths, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, has accepted a partnership offer from the State Chapter of Girls Guide to deliver a biodiversity conservation and Climate Change Project in the state.
The project, funded by the Global Youth Movement, commenced on October 1st, 2024, and is expected to last until September 1st, 2025.
The State Chairman of the NYCN, Surveyor Obi Emeka Emeka Chukwudi, expressed the State Council’s willingness 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. Its goal 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 centres around climate action, which addresses 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 project’s thematic activities, they will have the first training of 50 peer educators on January 25th, 2025, which will help them go into the various communities to carry out the project.
She also said mentorship programmes would be provided for the youths during the programme.
Disclosing their intention to partner with local and national stakeholders, the Anambra Girls Guide Commissioner said that 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 Girls Guides’ efforts 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.
