The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called on young people in Bayelsa State to distance themselves from drug abuse, cultism, and other criminal activities common in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration themed “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond” on Tuesday, UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, stressed the need for youths to focus on lawful and productive ventures for a better future.
The event also featured the inauguration of the Bayelsa Youths Peace Champions, a group dedicated to promoting peace among young people in the state.
Toure noted that since 2016, UNODC had been committed to spreading a message of hope across the Niger Delta, encouraging young people to reject violence, crime, and drug abuse. He further revealed that 25 individuals had been selected for training to help develop solutions that promote inclusive leadership.
He commended the state’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepadei, for his role in making the programme a success.
In his remarks, Mr. Robert Igali, Director General of the Centre for Youth Development, described International Youth Day as an opportunity to go beyond symbolic gestures and take concrete steps to empower young people — the nation’s most valuable resource. He emphasised that without active youth participation, the country’s progress would stall, and highlighted their crucial role in driving sustainable development from the grassroots level.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olomiete Enekpemi, said the occasion aimed to prepare young Nigerians to become better members of society. He noted that the state government had invested in youth empowerment through leadership programmes, skills acquisition, and scholarships, both locally and internationally.
Enekpemi added that UNODC’s partnership with the Bayelsa government had created new avenues for youth engagement, enabling them to share ideas and collaborate for a brighter future.
Commissioner Alfred Kemepadei praised UNODC for its support in marking International Youth Day, revealing that over 180 young people in the state had received training in agriculture and were being prepared for self-reliance. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping youths compete favourably in society and urged them to avoid any actions that could harm their reputation, reminding them of their role as “leaders of tomorrow.”