The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has received accolades from stakeholders following the graduation of 15 vibrant Bayelsa youths he sponsored for training at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) as part of his administration’s drive for human capital development.

The Commissioner for Youths Development in the state, Alfred Kemepado explained that the programme of training youths at NIPSS was in line with the governor’s belief that the dream of a great nation could not be realised without deliberate attention to the dreams of its young people.

“The Prosperity Government of Governor Douye Diri is taking the lead in empowering the youths. At the heart of Bayelsa’s development strategy is an unwavering commitment to building human capacity among its youths at home and abroad”, Kemepado said.

He said In line with the Bayelsa State Youth Policy Draft under the leadership of Governor Diri, the state took the bold steps to equip young leaders with the knowledge, tools, and exposure required to compete globally and to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

He said the beneficiaries were drawn from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), Student Union Governments (SUG), Centre for Youth Development (CY, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Federated/Community Youth Presidents, and Youth Development Officers from the Ministry of Youth Development.

Kemepado explained that the beneficiaries went through youth leadership development training at the prestigious NIPSS in Kuru, Jos, describing it as just one of many youth and leadership development programmes approved by the governor to run home and abroad within the year.

He said: "The governor approved these programmes to ensure strategic investment in the minds of youths to shape Bayelsa’s future. The young leaders are being sharpened in policy, leadership, and nation-building; gaining insights from Nigeria’s top policy think tank; engaging in dialogue that challenges perspectives, and being prepared to take on roles of greater responsibility across communities, institutions, and government”.

Kemepado noted that the initiative underscored the governor’s enduring belief that true development must begin with the people.

“It is a clear expression of the Prosperity administration’s ASSURED agenda to drive youth development, not only to empower youth, but also to position them as active contributors to governance, growth, and global relevance”, he said.

The commissioner vowed that the Ministry of Youth Development under Governor Diri remained committed to sustaining and expanding efforts geared towards extending the ripple effects of the training to every ward, local government area and community in Bayelsa.

“Bayelsa is not just training leaders, we are raising a generation equipped to lead with purpose, wisdom, and vision. We commend Governor Diri’s foresight”, Kemepado said.