Bayelsa, UNODC Inaugurate Youth Peace Champions


By Anita Okongo (Kelsthel.ng)


Yenagoa, Bayelsa - The Bayelsa State Government has urged youths to take the lead in driving transformative actions that promote self-development and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the state and the nation.


This charge was delivered during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration in Yenagoa, organised in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and supported by the Government of Denmark.


With the theme “Local Youth Actions for Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond,” the event brought together policymakers, development partners, and youth leaders to underscore the critical role of young people in shaping a prosperous and peaceful society.


Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Kemepado, stressed the importance of sustained grassroots and urban youth engagement to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Also speaking, the UNODC Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Cheik Toure, charged youths in the Niger Delta to position themselves as champions of positive change, especially in areas of peace-building, anti-drug advocacy, and crime prevention.


A highlight of the celebration was the inauguration of 25 Youth Peace Champions, who will undergo training in peace-building, drug abuse prevention, and community-based crime reduction strategies.


International Youth Day, observed globally every August 12, aims to spotlight youth-related issues and celebrate the potential of young people as essential partners in building inclusive and sustainable societies.

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