Audacious Journey of YOWEC

Empowering Youth and Women in the Niger Delta

Since our inception in 2004, the Youth and Women Development Center and Women Empowerment Centre (YOWEC) has been on a transformative journey, dedicated to reshaping the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta. As a private, voluntary, not-for-profit NGO based in Port Harcourt, we have remained steadfast in our mission to empower youth and women through targeted community development initiatives.

Our work began as a response to the pervasive challenges faced by Nigerian youth, who were increasingly disengaged from the values of hard work, responsibility, and integrity. Over the years, we have witnessed alarming trends of examination malpractice, fraud, and violence, which have disrupted the fabric of our educational and social systems. YOWEC has committed itself to reversing these trends through conscious re-orientation and capacity-building efforts.

Our focus areas include:

• Vocational Skills Acquisition: Equipping youth and women with the practical skills needed for self-reliance and economic independence.
• Leadership and Personality Development: Instilling values of integrity, responsibility, and hard work to prepare the next generation of leaders.
• Entrepreneurship: Fostering innovation and creativity to drive economic growth and self-employment.
• Micro-Credit Facilities: Providing financial support to nurture small businesses and promote sustainable livelihoods.
• Scholarship Programs: Supporting academic and professional development to unlock the potential of our youth.

In collaboration with key organizations like the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, Departments of Social Welfare, Ministries of Health, and the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA), we have reached over 15,000 young men and women in the Niger Delta. Our work directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Through micro-financing and economic empowerment.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – By providing scholarships and promoting educational development.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – By empowering women through vocational training and maternal health initiatives.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Through entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programs.

As we reflect on our journey, we are proud of the impact we have made in reviving the values of leadership, responsibility, integrity, and hard work among the youth of the Niger Delta. We remain committed to fostering a dignified and meaningful life for our beneficiaries, driving sustainable development, and contributing to a revitalized Nigerian economy.

Join us as we continue to empower the next generation for a brighter future!

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