The Accord Party governorship candidate in Taraba state, Professor Jerome Nyameh, has called for the institutionalisation of youth empowerment programmes to ensure they deliver sustainable and tangible results.
Nyameh said youth empowerment should go beyond the distribution of money and equipment, stressing the need for a strategic approach that incorporates capacity building, mentorship, monitoring, market access and continuous support.
He made the position known while outlining his vision for youth development in Taraba state, saying any administration serious about reducing unemployment and poverty must invest in building the capacity of young people.
According to him, if elected governor and tasked with empowering 5,000 youths, his administration would prioritise training in relevant skills, entrepreneurship, vocational trades and business management before providing financial or material support.
He explained that beneficiaries must understand not only how to operate their businesses, but also the available opportunities, market potential, challenges and strategies required to sustain their ventures.
“After training comes mentorship, monitoring, access to markets, and continuous support. This is how empowerment becomes an investment rather than a temporary intervention,” he said.
Nyameh cautioned against giving beneficiaries equipment or money without adequate preparation, noting that such an approach could lead to the misuse or sale of empowerment items and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
He said effective empowerment should equip young people with the knowledge and skills required to manage resources, build viable businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
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“When you build capacity, provide the right tools, create access to opportunities, and follow up with mentorship, you are not just empowering a young person; you are building an entrepreneur, a job creator, and a contributor to the state economy,” he added.
The Accord candidate urged stakeholders to shift from short-term interventions to sustainable youth development programmes that would enable young people to build livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to Taraba’s economy.
“Don’t just give the youths something to survive on; give them the knowledge, skills, tools and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods,” Nyameh said.
He described this approach as the difference between temporary empowerment and sustainable development, insisting that a “New Taraba” is possible and that the state deserves better.
