Rivers State Youth Empowerment 2026: COLE’ctive Initiative Launches Creative Entrepreneurship Programme

Rivers State Youth Empowerment: COLE’ctive Initiative Launches Creative Entrepreneurship Programme

The COLE’ctive Initiative has unveiled a citizen-driven programme aimed at empowering young people in Rivers State with entrepreneurship skills and sustainable economic opportunities through creativity and innovation

According to a statement released in Abuja by the founder of the initiative, Tonye Patrick Cole, the programme is designed to transform creative talent into viable businesses and employment opportunities across all 319 wards in Rivers State.

The initiative recognises the creative industry—including arts, fashion, music, film, design, crafts, and digital content—as a powerful tool for economic growth and social development.

The programme seeks to integrate creativity into civic participation, enterprise development, and media visibility. By doing so, it ensures that creative talents are properly organised, supported, and scaled into profitable ventures that contribute to the state’s economy.

Read: Apply BOI Guaranteed Loans for Women 2026

The initiative also aims to build a structured ecosystem where creatives can access opportunities, resources, and networks needed to thrive in competitive markets.

Tonye Patrick Cole explained that the initiative redefines creativity not as an informal activity, but as a form of productive infrastructure capable of driving sustainable development. He emphasised that creativity plays a crucial role in job creation, cultural identity, and economic empowerment, particularly among youths.

“Creativity is not a side economy; it is a serious driver of jobs, identity, and opportunity,” Cole stated, highlighting the need for strategic investment in the creative sector.

At the core of the initiative is the statewide Creative Enterprise Framework known as COLE2Crea8. This framework is designed to support creators as entrepreneurs by connecting skills development, market access, and visibility into a unified creative economy pipeline.

Through training, collaboration platforms, and exposure opportunities, COLE2Crea8 aims to equip young creatives with the tools needed to build sustainable businesses.

The programme also encourages collaboration among creatives, stakeholders, and communities, fostering an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish. At full scale, COLE2Crea8 is structured to engage over 319,000 creatives and creative entrepreneurs across Rivers State, making it one of the most ambitious youth empowerment initiatives in the region.

By bridging creativity with enterprise, the COLE’ctive Initiative hopes to unlock the vast potential of Rivers State’s youth, reduce unemployment, and position the creative industry as a key pillar of economic development. The initiative represents a bold step toward building an inclusive creative economy that empowers young people and strengthens the state’s future.

Federal Government Grant Portal