Group Reiterates Commitment to Empowering Youths for Sustainable Devt

By Uche Eke

A Non Governmental Organisation, Catch Them Young Community Initiative, CATYCOI, says it is working hard towards evolving a society of empowered youth for promoting sustainable Democracy, Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood.

The Executive Director, CATYCOI , Mr Nonso Orakwe stated this in Awka during a two day regional Organisational System Strenthening workshop for representatives of some Civil Society Organizations in the South East Zone with Support from Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.

According to him, the organisation is working with youths to inspire Democratic and Community Development through Research, Advocacy, Policy and Strategic Management.

Mr Orakwe called on the participants to have passion and decide to impact on the society without thinking of the grant that may come from any international organisation.

The CATYCOI Executive Director encouraged participants to remain focused and ensure that they work for the interest of the public at all times despite the challenges they face while doing that.

He said the organisation have been doing a lot towards encouraging the youth to take full charge in leading local governance within their areas of settlement.

According to him, when the youths take ownership of local governance, it will no doubt force political office holders to sit up and operate within the dictates of the law thereby impacting positively on the lives of the people.

The training is for beneficiaries of grant from the Nigeria Youth Future Fund aimed at empowering them to carry out the objective of the Programme down to their respective states.

One of the Consultants to the program, Mr James Laman from Abuja, told the participants to make their objectives Specific , Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely SMART, in other to achieve organizational sustainability and impact on the society.

Mr Laman who is a Consultant in Organisational Capacity Accessment and Evaluation said the training which is orgnaised by CATYCOI, is for Nine different Organizations that got funding approval from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, to implement governance related projects in different fields including health, Gender, Civics, Persons With Disabilities, among other areas.

He said the aim is to empower the youths to engage in the governance process in their various localities and communities.

Mr Laman therefore enjoined the beneficiaries to be upright and build their capacities with more knowledge to enable them further achieve the desired result.