By: Felix Ikpotor
A non-profit and non-governmental organisation, Ogwus Empowerment and Community Development Organisation, has disclosed plans to empower youths and communities in Rivers State with livelihoods skills and social amenities to fight crime and other vices in the state.
Addressing journalist in Port Harcourt, founder of the organisation, Engr Chinedu Ogwus said the organization which was officially launched on December 30, 2024 was created to engage youths and provide them with a sense of belonging in the society.
“Each time we ask the youths, they say they’re going into illegal oil bunkering because the government doesn’t care about them; they must feed their family,” he said.
Ogwus stated that the organization’s vision is to create a safe space for youths to be empowered and engaged, and to provide them with access to education, training, and development opportunities.
“This organisation was founded to help reduce cultism, kidnapping, end illegal oil-bunkering by giving them hope.
“We have the vision of making sure the youths of Rivers State and Nigeria are being taken care off such that when they have a need they know where to run to for help,” he stated.
He said the organization has already begun to make impact in the state, with several empowerment programs and community development projects underway.
He noted that the organisation have interfaced with the youths in Ahoada to avoid illegal oil-bunkering activities which said has led to increased oil production in the area.
The founder mentioned some projects embarked upon by the organisation to includes; the installation of solar lights in several communities, including Edeoha, Upatabu, and Iyagbuda, to reduce crime and improve security, stressing that the organization has installed over 200 solar lights in these communities with plan to install more in other communities across the state.
In addition to its community development projects, he said the organization has also partnered with the Cardinal Football Academy to scout for talented young footballers and provided them with training and development opportunities.
Ogwus said the organization has already identified four talented young footballers who will be trained at the academy. He added that the organization plans to partner with other sports academies to provide more opportunities for young athletes in the state.
The philanthropist said the organization has also empowered students in several schools within the state, including Community Secondary School, Woji, Upata 1 Community Secondary School, Edeoha, and Community Secondary School, Omoku, with writing materials and other educational resources, stressing that the organization plans to extend its empowerment programme to other schools across the state including scholarships to deserving students.
“Moving forward we intend to further engage the youths to ensure that peace is maintained in Rivers State, to partner with stakeholders so that we can grow communities,” he added.
He disclosed that the organization is currently seeking partnerships with local and international organizations to support its empowerment programs and community development projects, calling on stakeholders, including government agencies, corporate organizations, and individuals to support the organization’s efforts to empower youths and develop communities in Rivers State.
Ogwus used the medium to express his gratitude to the organization’s partners and supporters, and called on others to join hands with the organization to make a positive impact on the lives of youths in Rivers State.
