The Civil Rights Council (CRC) has consistently been at the forefront of advocating for the protection and promotion of citizens’ rights across Nigeria. In line with this commitment, the Asaba Chapter of the CRC organized a peaceful protest to the Office of the Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development on March 28, 2025. The protest aimed to highlight the pressing issues of youth unemployment, economic hardship, and the need for urgent government intervention in youth empowerment.
In every society, the youth are the backbone of any society, playing crucial roles in leadership, innovation, and economic progress. However, without the necessary skills, knowledge, and employment opportunities, they are vulnerable to social vices such as crime, substance abuse, and mental health issues. The CRC recognizes that addressing these challenges requires strategic interventions, including skill acquisition programs, grants, and job opportunities, to harness the potential of young people for national growth.
Therefore, the protest was organized as a clarion call to the government to implement policies and programs that will equip young people with the resources needed for self-reliance and economic stability. The key demands include:
Implementation of comprehensive training programs to empower underprivileged youths with marketable skills, establishment of vocational training centers to provide hands-on experience in various trades and necessary projection to reduce youth unemployment by 30% over the next two years through targeted training.They further urged the commissione to work towards the establishment of mentorship programs to guide young entrepreneurs in business management and innovation while making provision for the creation of business incubation hubs to support startups and enhance sustainability.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Joy Edingibe the coordinator of the Asaba Unit CRC further urged the Youth Commission to create platforms that will aid the provision of financial assistance and business grants to enable trainees to establish businesses while facilitating access to micro-loans with favorable terms to encourage self-employment. The government should also work with private sector investors to fund youth-driven business initiatives. These strategies and demands if implemented will tackle the 40% youth unemployment rate, particularly among graduates. According to her, this is an urgent government intervention to expand public-private partnerships to create job opportunities for skilled and unskilled youth.
During the peaceful demonstration, CRC representatives attempted to meet with the Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development to present their demands. However, the commissioner was unavailable, and the delegation submitted a formal letter requesting a courtesy visit. The letter was received and acknowledged by the Commissioner’s Secretary, ensuring that the concerns raised would be addressed in due course.
Following this, the CRC proceeded to the National Human Rights Commission to submit a letter seeking legal action regarding the extrajudicial killing of Miss Isioma Nwayalani, who was allegedly shot by an Anti-Cult official. The CRC remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of human rights violations.
Nigeria is currently experiencing severe economic difficulties, characterized by rising inflation, high cost of living, and a lack of employment opportunities. The situation has had a devastating impact on both graduates and skilled youths, many of whom struggle to afford the cost of production due to skyrocketing expenses. The government must urgently implement these suggested policies that create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Their placards also had inscriptions of some of their messages while they made their demands.
the Civil Rights Council, Asaba Chapter, remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the rights and welfare of citizens. The protest was not just a march but a call to action, urging the government to prioritize youth empowerment and economic development. Until concrete measures are implemented to address these concerns, the CRC will continue to push for fundamental social change through advocacy and civic engagement.