FAQs on the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Bill a.k.a #10percent4youths Bill
Frequently Asked Questions on Akwa Ibom Youth Development Bill (a.k.a #10Percent4Youths) Akwa Ibom State
1. What is #10Percent4Youths all about?
Recent research places the rate of unemployment in Akwa Ibom at 48.9%, that is over 1.5 million people who are either unemployed or working in jobs far below their qualifications and this figure keeps rising.To address the problems of youth unemployment in Akwa Ibom, a strategic vision and plan of action for youths in Akwa Ibom state is urgently required, especially considering that there is no ratified state youth policy. #10percent4youths is an advocacy campaign backed by 53 Civil society organizations calling on the Government and state legislators to enact a law that allocates 10% of the oil revenue accruing to the state to set up and fund Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) that will provide money for youth empowerment initiatives designed to tackle unemployment from multiple angles.
2. Why 10 Percent?
Similar programs have been implemented in other Niger Delta states where a percentage of the oil
revenue has been institutionalized in an agency designed to empower specific segments of the population. Some states like Delta state commit as high as 50%. Average monthly oil revenue in Akwa Ibom state is N10.38bn (Jan-July 2015). 10 Percent of that money would reverse the rising trend of youth unemployment and transform economic development in the state which an empowered youth force will engineer. Without our youths we have no future, 10 Percent is not too much to ask.
3. Why go for a law?
The solution to the youth unemployment problem in Akwa Ibom State should begin with policy backed by a Law. Enacting a law will provide for specific transparency and accountability measures that will protect the integrity and goals of Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF). A law would also set out guidelines for administering the fund and this can be administered through the courts. Simply put, Laws are enforceable. Secondly a law set outs clearly the legal and institutional framework for the fund which would attract additional funding from Development Agencies and other international and national funds and programs. It will institutionalize AKYDF to ensure sustainability so that subsequent governments can build on the efforts of this administration and continue with this strategic vision for sustainable Youth empowerment in Akwa Ibom State.
4. How will Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) operate?
AKYD will be instituted as an agency of Government with oversight from the Governor’s office and
Ministry of Youths and Sports but will operate independently following the framework set out by the Law. The fund will be managed and controlled by a board drawn from the private sector, public sector and civil society by the governor ratified by the House of Assembly. It will be a 9 Member Board which constitute leaders and experts from: private sector; finance; academia; civil society; legal; Director of Youth Development; monitoring and evaluation expert; representative from Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry; and Ministry of Labour, Productivity & Manpower Planning. The Board shall have the power to allocate a percentage of the monies accruing to the Fund to each of the programme and projects earmarked and approved for the beneficiaries.
5. Won’t this duplicate government efforts on youth empowerment?
No! The fund isn’t duplicating government effort; it will actually consolidate all the efforts of government, because this Law will provide legal backing and ensure that it is sustainable in the long term. It will also give more credibility, accountability and transparency on government’s present effort on youth development.
6. Doesn’t the current drop in oil prices and the economic situation in the state affect the feasibility of this project?
The current economic situation actually makes this project an urgent priority because if we do not
diversify our economy now, we will have an economic crisis in the state in the near future. Majority of jobs in the state is in the civil service which is currently over populated, the private sector is lean and practically nonexistent, most of the projects government implements like infrastructural development is from oil revenue. With the dwindling prices of oil how would government provide jobs and services for its citizens? Now is the time to invest for the future, youths are our future. If they are empowered to grow strong businesses and innovate new solutions the state will be able to survive without oil revenue in the future. The time to invest in AKYDF is NOW!
7. Why target only Youths, other people are suffering?
Youths are undeniably the most important and formidable force and resource that a nation can have; and Nigeria has this unprecedented opportunity of being endowed with a large amount of ‘Youth Capital’.Harnessing this ‘demographic dividend’ by investing in them NOW, is the need of the hour which all governments must seriously consider and must commit themselves to. Investing in youth for employment and enterprise development and for their overall empowerment is equivalent to investing in the future. It should be a collective dream and a common goal which we should aspire to, share and realize together. The bill is targeting people between age 18-35 as primary targets and 35-45 as secondary targets who may be underemployed and need funding for job creation.
8. How is this different from already existing programs targeting youth empowerment?
It is different because it deals with foundational issues and root causes of youth unemployment such as institutionalizing policy; reorientation of the mindsets of our youth; labor market research for skills
matching etc. which will serve as a foundation for existing programs and it would be protected by law. It is also a strategic and holistic plan which adopts multiple approaches to tackling unemployment in the state from different angles, not just from one angle to comprehensively tackle the problem.
9. What types of programs will AKYDF fund?
Based on research and consultations with various stakeholders including ministry of youths, civil society organizations and the youths themselves 7 key areas were identified for investment:
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development
Labour Market Research/Impact Evaluation
Transition to Work Programs
Technical and Vocational Education Training
Attitudinal Social Re-orientation Programs
Economic Diversification of Non-Oil Sector (Technological Innovation and Agriculture)
Funding Youth Cooperatives
10. How will you ensure that youths who actually need this intervention will be the ones who benefit from it?
The procedure for selection of beneficiaries will be clearly outlined before announcements and made
public and the final selection evaluation report will be made accessible to the public. These are all
specified in the Law. The Board will ensure Local Government Area spread is strictly adhered to in the selection of beneficiaries and siting of projects. The beneficiaries of the programs of the fund are Akwa Ibom citizens across the state, which includes male and female youths and youths with disabilities based on a quota system. Youths with disabilities will constitute a minimum of 10% of the total number of beneficiaries; Youths from oil producing communities shall constitute a minimum of 10% of the total number of beneficiaries. All beneficiaries of the Fund’s will be drawn equally from all the Local Government Areas in the State.
11. How do we ensure that the Fund will not be misappropriated or stolen for personal and political gain?
The Law includes a detailed outline of transparency and accountability measures put in place to ensure that funds are not misappropriated. This includes Annual estimates and Published audited annual reports audited by external independent auditors; Quarterly Reports of every detail of its activities and financial transactions for the preceding quarter published on its website. An independent Monitoring and Evaluation Team in accordance with the provision of the law and a team
of relevant consultants appointed by the Board will on an annual basis undertake an independent
assessment of the impact of the programs and projects of the Fund on the beneficiaries in particular and youths of the state in general. The law specifies that neglect or refusal by the board to publish all information listed above shall be treated as misconduct.
12. How will the funds be disbursed?
The programs funds are not for charity or sharing to youths. It is intended to target economic growth
opportunities and job creation in the core program areas identified in Law and specified by the AKYDF management board.
13. What if the law is enacted but not implemented?
Advocacy is a marathon not a sprint, as such continuous advocacy will be done to ensure implementation of the framework and the law.
14. How can I support this campaign?
As active citizens, you can make a difference by asking your House of Assembly member in the state to support the passage of this bill (visits, letter writing, emails, text messages). You can also sign the petition to support the Law at www.yafnet.org. Follow the campaign lead organization at www.facebook/YAFng, and on twitter at www.twitter.com/10percent4youths for updates.
You can also stop by our office at 26 Esuene Street, off Abak road, Uyo and sign up to be a campaign
volunteer. Finally, you can spread the word among friends, your networks and followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
1. What is #10Percent4Youths all about?
Recent research places the rate of unemployment in Akwa Ibom at 48.9%, that is over 1.5 million people who are either unemployed or working in jobs far below their qualifications and this figure keeps rising.To address the problems of youth unemployment in Akwa Ibom, a strategic vision and plan of action for youths in Akwa Ibom state is urgently required, especially considering that there is no ratified state youth policy. #10percent4youths is an advocacy campaign backed by 53 Civil society organizations calling on the Government and state legislators to enact a law that allocates 10% of the oil revenue accruing to the state to set up and fund Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) that will provide money for youth empowerment initiatives designed to tackle unemployment from multiple angles.
2. Why 10 Percent?
Similar programs have been implemented in other Niger Delta states where a percentage of the oil
revenue has been institutionalized in an agency designed to empower specific segments of the population. Some states like Delta state commit as high as 50%. Average monthly oil revenue in Akwa Ibom state is N10.38bn (Jan-July 2015). 10 Percent of that money would reverse the rising trend of youth unemployment and transform economic development in the state which an empowered youth force will engineer. Without our youths we have no future, 10 Percent is not too much to ask.
3. Why go for a law?
The solution to the youth unemployment problem in Akwa Ibom State should begin with policy backed by a Law. Enacting a law will provide for specific transparency and accountability measures that will protect the integrity and goals of Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF). A law would also set out guidelines for administering the fund and this can be administered through the courts. Simply put, Laws are enforceable. Secondly a law set outs clearly the legal and institutional framework for the fund which would attract additional funding from Development Agencies and other international and national funds and programs. It will institutionalize AKYDF to ensure sustainability so that subsequent governments can build on the efforts of this administration and continue with this strategic vision for sustainable Youth empowerment in Akwa Ibom State.
4. How will Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) operate?
AKYD will be instituted as an agency of Government with oversight from the Governor’s office and
Ministry of Youths and Sports but will operate independently following the framework set out by the Law. The fund will be managed and controlled by a board drawn from the private sector, public sector and civil society by the governor ratified by the House of Assembly. It will be a 9 Member Board which constitute leaders and experts from: private sector; finance; academia; civil society; legal; Director of Youth Development; monitoring and evaluation expert; representative from Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry; and Ministry of Labour, Productivity & Manpower Planning. The Board shall have the power to allocate a percentage of the monies accruing to the Fund to each of the programme and projects earmarked and approved for the beneficiaries.
5. Won’t this duplicate government efforts on youth empowerment?
No! The fund isn’t duplicating government effort; it will actually consolidate all the efforts of government, because this Law will provide legal backing and ensure that it is sustainable in the long term. It will also give more credibility, accountability and transparency on government’s present effort on youth development.
6. Doesn’t the current drop in oil prices and the economic situation in the state affect the feasibility of this project?
The current economic situation actually makes this project an urgent priority because if we do not
diversify our economy now, we will have an economic crisis in the state in the near future. Majority of jobs in the state is in the civil service which is currently over populated, the private sector is lean and practically nonexistent, most of the projects government implements like infrastructural development is from oil revenue. With the dwindling prices of oil how would government provide jobs and services for its citizens? Now is the time to invest for the future, youths are our future. If they are empowered to grow strong businesses and innovate new solutions the state will be able to survive without oil revenue in the future. The time to invest in AKYDF is NOW!
7. Why target only Youths, other people are suffering?
Youths are undeniably the most important and formidable force and resource that a nation can have; and Nigeria has this unprecedented opportunity of being endowed with a large amount of ‘Youth Capital’.Harnessing this ‘demographic dividend’ by investing in them NOW, is the need of the hour which all governments must seriously consider and must commit themselves to. Investing in youth for employment and enterprise development and for their overall empowerment is equivalent to investing in the future. It should be a collective dream and a common goal which we should aspire to, share and realize together. The bill is targeting people between age 18-35 as primary targets and 35-45 as secondary targets who may be underemployed and need funding for job creation.
8. How is this different from already existing programs targeting youth empowerment?
It is different because it deals with foundational issues and root causes of youth unemployment such as institutionalizing policy; reorientation of the mindsets of our youth; labor market research for skills
matching etc. which will serve as a foundation for existing programs and it would be protected by law. It is also a strategic and holistic plan which adopts multiple approaches to tackling unemployment in the state from different angles, not just from one angle to comprehensively tackle the problem.
9. What types of programs will AKYDF fund?
Based on research and consultations with various stakeholders including ministry of youths, civil society organizations and the youths themselves 7 key areas were identified for investment:
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development
Labour Market Research/Impact Evaluation
Transition to Work Programs
Technical and Vocational Education Training
Attitudinal Social Re-orientation Programs
Economic Diversification of Non-Oil Sector (Technological Innovation and Agriculture)
Funding Youth Cooperatives
10. How will you ensure that youths who actually need this intervention will be the ones who benefit from it?
The procedure for selection of beneficiaries will be clearly outlined before announcements and made
public and the final selection evaluation report will be made accessible to the public. These are all
specified in the Law. The Board will ensure Local Government Area spread is strictly adhered to in the selection of beneficiaries and siting of projects. The beneficiaries of the programs of the fund are Akwa Ibom citizens across the state, which includes male and female youths and youths with disabilities based on a quota system. Youths with disabilities will constitute a minimum of 10% of the total number of beneficiaries; Youths from oil producing communities shall constitute a minimum of 10% of the total number of beneficiaries. All beneficiaries of the Fund’s will be drawn equally from all the Local Government Areas in the State.
11. How do we ensure that the Fund will not be misappropriated or stolen for personal and political gain?
The Law includes a detailed outline of transparency and accountability measures put in place to ensure that funds are not misappropriated. This includes Annual estimates and Published audited annual reports audited by external independent auditors; Quarterly Reports of every detail of its activities and financial transactions for the preceding quarter published on its website. An independent Monitoring and Evaluation Team in accordance with the provision of the law and a team
of relevant consultants appointed by the Board will on an annual basis undertake an independent
assessment of the impact of the programs and projects of the Fund on the beneficiaries in particular and youths of the state in general. The law specifies that neglect or refusal by the board to publish all information listed above shall be treated as misconduct.
12. How will the funds be disbursed?
The programs funds are not for charity or sharing to youths. It is intended to target economic growth
opportunities and job creation in the core program areas identified in Law and specified by the AKYDF management board.
13. What if the law is enacted but not implemented?
Advocacy is a marathon not a sprint, as such continuous advocacy will be done to ensure implementation of the framework and the law.
14. How can I support this campaign?
As active citizens, you can make a difference by asking your House of Assembly member in the state to support the passage of this bill (visits, letter writing, emails, text messages). You can also sign the petition to support the Law at www.yafnet.org. Follow the campaign lead organization at www.facebook/YAFng, and on twitter at www.twitter.com/10percent4youths for updates.
You can also stop by our office at 26 Esuene Street, off Abak road, Uyo and sign up to be a campaign
volunteer. Finally, you can spread the word among friends, your networks and followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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