Tonye Cole, former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has launched an empowerment programme aimed at reaching 230,000 young people across the state.
The intervention is being implemented through the Collective Initiative and targets youths in all 23 local government areas, according to a statement.
Cole said the programme was designed to reduce youth restiveness while expanding access to practical education and development opportunities.
The initiative, tagged COLE2LEARN, is aligned with the 2026 International Day of Education, which carries the global theme, the power of youth in co-creating education.
According to Cole, the programme repositions education as a tool for empowerment rather than passive instruction. He said it is structured to equip young people with skills, knowledge and civic confidence needed for healthier living, livelihoods and safer communities.
Cole explained that participants are encouraged to apply what they learn directly to real-life challenges, including public health, economic inclusion, climate resilience and community security.
He said the programme emphasises youth-led and co-created learning systems, placing young people at the centre of decision-making and problem-solving within their communities.
Cole noted that COLE2LEARN departs from conventional classroom models by focusing on outcome-driven learning linked to civic participation, enterprise development, innovation and leadership pathways.
He added that the learning framework covers civic and democratic engagement, health and wellbeing, financial and enterprise skills, digital and media literacy, environmental and climate awareness, peace and community safety, gender and disability inclusion, as well as culture-based education.
Delivery of the programme is carried out through community learning hubs, platforms, mobile channels and peer-to-peer exchanges, enabling participants to learn.
