Renowned Christian leader and international evangelist, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai has called on the Coordinator-General of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), Comrade Kennedy Iyere to focus on positively impacting the lives of ordinary Nigerians through the YEIDEP initiative, pointing out that YEIDEP’s Mission Aligns with Serving Humanity.
Rev. Ukpai gave the fatherly counsel when Comrade Kennedy Iyere paid him a courtesy visit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, emphasizing that serving humanity was the best to reciprocate God’s love.
The visit, which preceded the South-South Stakeholders’ Engagement of YEIDEP in Uyo on Thursday, highlighted the urgent need to economically empower youth as part of efforts geared towards de-radicalising them positively.
Ukpai reiterated his commitment to humanitarian work, encompassing healthcare, education, and spiritual development. He concluded with a fervent prayer, asking God to guide Comrade Kennedy Iyere and his team as they roll out their impactful youth empowerment initiative nationwide.
The Coordinator-General of Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), Comrade Kennedy Iyere had explained that his team was in Uyo for a one-day South-South Stakeholders Engagement to sensitize the people of the state, particularly the youth about YEIDEP, informing that the initiative would address youth unemployment, economic exclusion, radicalization, and crime, which according Comrade Iyere, threaten political stability, national security, and economic progress.
”YEEDEP aims to equip Nigerian youth with tools and opportunities to become entrepreneurs and change agents, driving job creation, wealth generation, and poverty reduction.
”Our mandate is to leverage entrepreneurship, and various economic opportunities to equip and transform youths into catalysts for job creation, wealth development, and poverty alleviation, all aimed at enhancing youth productivity and promoting national stability and economic recovery,” Iyere stated.
“Our goal is to create millions of youth farmers and food entrepreneurs within the first two years of our initiative, which commenced on October 30, 2024. We are hitting the ground running; there’s no time to waste. Now is the moment to create jobs for our youth and wealth for families and our nation through agriculture. We possess the land and the youthful energy, so we must act swiftly,” Iyere said.
Recall that Comrade Iyere is the initiator of YEIDEP, overseeing the youth empowerment initiative to engage youths economically and promote de-radicalization in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. This program marks a pioneering effort in Nigeria’s political history, focusing on collaborative ministerial initiatives for youth economic empowerment.
Comrade Iyere was accompanied on the visit by former Spokespersman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Dr. Ken Robinson, PFN South-South Zonal Director for Agriculture, Apostle Dr. Timiebi Gaius Kiyaramo, Pastor Raymond Onenipius, Director of Programs & Projects (YEIDEP), Bishop James Okocha, Chairman, Board of Trustees, BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI), Director of Special Duties (YEIDEP), Prince Ozioma Ani and the Personal Assistant to the Coordinator-General, Mr. Emma Efoke.
