The governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Rivers State, Nature Dumale Kieghe, has announced the graduation of 18 youths rescued from drug abuse, cultism and other social vices under the Youth Rescue International Development Organization (YRIDO).
The youths successfully completed YRIDO’s flagship 4R Programme, which focuses on Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Reintegration.
Kieghe, who is also the Executive Director of YRIDO, said the organisation has spent the last nine years rescuing and rehabilitating young people despite operating with limited resources and without significant government support.
According to him, YRIDO has consistently held graduation ceremonies for rescued youths at least twice yearly, driven by its commitment to helping young people rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
He said the organisation hopes to expand the impact of the initiative across Rivers State and the Niger Delta to tackle drug abuse and other social vices linked to crime, violence, poverty and insecurity.
Kieghe said his experience running the 4R Programme had reinforced his commitment to prioritising crime prevention and youth development if elected Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
Kieghe Promises Youth Recovery Programme
The PRP governorship candidate said he would introduce a Rivers Youth Recovery and Reintegration Programme aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating and economically empowering young people affected by drug abuse and other social challenges.
He also pledged to establish a multi-skills training centre in each of Rivers State’s three senatorial districts to provide vocational and economic opportunities for youths who successfully complete the recovery and reintegration programme.
“Every youth that completes the 4R Programme cuts down the amount of risk we have to deal with in Rivers State,” Kieghe said.
He maintained that addressing drug abuse and other social vices at their roots would help reduce crime and insecurity, while also easing pressure on correctional centres across the state.
Kieghe said the 18 graduating youths had been commissioned as ambassadors of YRIDO’s “Rescued-to-Rescue-Others” mission, expressing hope that their stories would inspire other young people to turn away from destructive lifestyles.
As Rivers State prepares for the 2027 general elections, Kieghe called on residents to support his ambition, pledging to prioritise youth development, economic self-reliance and crime prevention if elected.
“If we can mend broken lives and restore lost hopes with limited means, imagine what we could achieve with greater resources,” he said.
