JOIN FIGHT VICES THROUGH YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT

The level of societal vices is on the increase and is being perpetuated by the youths who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. If this trend is not curbed, REAL DANGER faces the future of this country. The problem of youths restiveness started as a little struggle some years ago affecting only a few; little did we know it was going to be a national issue let alone world news. On a daily basis youths are on the news various crimes. We might not be directly affected but it is a fact that somebody related to us is either perpetuating the acts or is affected. Our young ones are growing up, there is need for them to be sensitized and educated in the right direction so that can work towards a better nation.

This has been the fight of the Indomitable Youths Organization whose vision is “a society where the youths are in the forefront for National development”.

Our mission is “to eradicate societal ills amongst youths through sensitization on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse prostitution and its related consequences of sexually transmitted infections as well as HIV/AIDS and harmonizing their potentials for maximum benefits of the society”.

The Indomitable Youths Organization began a journey since 1997 was known and called then Indomitable Youths Association which was borne out of youths of like minds. Indomitable Youths Organization is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-religious, non-racial but voluntary organization that fosters unity among youths in the society. Free from any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, sex, race, religion, or otherwise. 

The organization came into existence in August 1997, registered with Ministry of information youths, sports and culture, Edo State (YA/CLB/1162) in 1998 and with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC/IT/NO 27182).

Membership is open to youths of 15 years and above, devoid of any form of discrimination.

Being a body of youths as the name carries, the body was made up of young secondary school leavers who felt they can affect the lives of youths to work in a better direction towards making the nation a better place for us all. Some machinery put in place to affect the lives of these youths include;

“Trail Blazer Club” set up in secondary schools in Benin City which was to serve as an avenue for us to affect positively the life of youths in these schools.

“The Blazer” a magazine that is Informing, educating and entertaining had a maiden edition produced in the year 2000 but could not be sustained due to inadequate resources.

During this period awareness programmes were organized in some secondary schools including Idia College , Emotan College , Golden Touch Academy etc , Uselu Market.

The Youth Advisory Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital under the guidance of Prof. A.U Oronsaye provided accommodation for us for a very long time as we could not pay for accommodation.

As a body of youths filled with young school leavers, members were levied each time a programme or project is to be executed hence most of our programmes were sponsored by our selves. Not relenting in the struggle we were able produce posters on HIV and AIDS and stickers which were distributed during some of our outings.

Combining the power of education and entertainment we came up with the “Blazer” a serial playlet addressing the ills in the society. Even though some episodes were recorded but could not be continued due to lack of assistance.

With the adage that no matter what just keeps moving, Indomitable Youths has been moving on slowly but steadily. We have been able to become affiliate of various network bodies such as CiSHAN, YAARH, NiPREH, CSACEFA, NYNETHA;

Established good working relationship with other NGOs such as Women Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC), Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), Girls Power Initiative (GPI) etc.

In 2005 we had the opportunity as one of the partnering Civil Society Organization with European Union Micro Project in Six States (EU-MPP6) where we were to implement and monitor income generating micro projects in rural areas. We succeeded in mobilizing and implementing projects in some communities in Edo State including:

-          EU-MPP6 Evborohun Education Project; (Oredo L.G.A).

-          EU-MPP6 Evbuodia Cassava Mill Project; (Oredo L.G.A).

-          EU-MPP6 Iyowa Civic Centre Project; (Ovia North-East L.G.A).

-          EU-MPP6 Umegbe Cassava Mill Project; (Oredo L.G.A).

-          EU-MPP6 Ebo Education Project; (Oredo L.G.A). etc

All projects were implemented to specification, completed and handed over to communities in good condition. This partnership programme helped the Organization to a very large extent as we were able to rent and pay for an apartment in 2005 to date. We also purchased some equipment.

Towards the expiration of the EU-MPP6 programme, not forgetting our sole aim of working towards a better nation by empowering the youths hence we started a “Youth Empowerment Centre” where youths are acquiring skills to better their future. The centre was commission 13^th February 2008 and it has since being functional though with its challenges, we are glad that the centre is growing as lives are being affected positively with the following departments:

-          Catering;

-          Computer;

-          Fashion designing;

-          Hair styling.

Series of rally and visit made has increased our volunteers’ strength immensely, we being able to sensitize them on various societal vice hence we can boastfully say we have good ambassadors in the year 2008 and strongly hope to work harder in achieving more goal in the coming years.

The Organization gave room and freedom with proper encouragement to the secondary school students who came keeping themselves busy acquiring one skill or the other. Most of them spent their school break in the empowerment centre coming on a daily basis hence removing a great deal idleness from them.

Efforts are seriously in place to empower those that have undergone training by seeking for a place where they use the skill they have acquired for their future survival.

It is our earnest desire that the Indomitable Youths Organization will consolidate on this landmark achievement in the years ahead.

When there is no challenge the tendency to grow might be impaired, during the period of thick and thin we were faced with various challenges, some of which include:

-          Inadequate fund to support our activities to the desired taste hence most of our activities were just executed without media (still/motion picture) coverage which most people will request before they will sponsor or support your programme.

-          Sponsors/Donors prefer to work with big names making the big ones not to allow the young ones grow.

We are therefore appealing to as many that have gone through this write-up to support our vision and mission which we know is an enormous task but we do not intend to go back on it. Whatever you deem fit to assist the organization is welcomed either in cash or kind. Some of the items we need include computers, plastic chairs, catering material & consumables, stationeries, saloon equipment, IEC materials, paying of bills such as rents, electricity etc.

We would also be glad if a visit can be made to the centre for you to see things for your self and we will be glad if this mail can be forwarded to a friend or any one you know that will buy into our vision. Below are our contact information:

 Physical Address:     22 Edo Textile Mill Road, Benin City, Edo State .

Postal Address:                      P.O. Box 6589 , Benin City , Edo State , Nigeria .

E-mail:                                    indomitables@yahoo.com

WEBSITE:                             www.kabissa.org/members/iyo

Bank:                          Bank PHB,

                                    Account name:           Indomitable Youths Assocoiation

                                    Account number:        017085100200.

For more information please call:

Dr Oniovokukor Bright Ejakporvi    +2348052735427

Miss Akpobi Ufuoma                         +2348026233860