Encouragements from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and Niger Delta Development Commission Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku have led to calls for the region’s youths and people to avoid the planned protest against economic challenges set for August 1.
These recommendations come after Akpabio introduced a Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the NDDC for 10,000 young individuals from the Niger Delta area.
While addressing a gathering during the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities and Selected Stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Akpabio announced that the proposed nationwide protests by some youths would not happen in the nine states of the Niger Delta, labeling the region as a protest-free zone.
Explaining the details of the Youth Internship Scheme, the Senate President mentioned, “the program will engage 10,000 youths to enhance their skills, with the initial beneficiaries receiving a monthly payment of N50,000.”
Akpabio highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the Niger Delta region’s development. He noted that following a presidential directive, the NDDC had recently launched five flagship projects encompassing roads, bridges, and electricity across the region.
He praised the NDDC for restoring sections of the East-West Road and guaranteed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project would start not only from Lagos but simultaneously from the Niger Delta.
Additionally, Akpabio acknowledged the challenges in developing the Niger Delta region but cited several projects by the NDDC that had elevated the residents’ living standards. He pledged that going forward, the Commission would receive its full share of statutory allocations.
In his opening statements, NDDC Governing Board Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie assured that the Commission’s focus would remain on completing capital projects to enhance the Niger Delta region.
Ebie emphasized, “Our dedication is to transform the region, aligning with the 8-Point Presidential Priorities and the NDDC Act of 2000 requirements.”
He extended gratitude to the National Assembly members for swiftly passing the Commission’s 2024 budget, which would pave the way for implementing projects and initiatives benefiting the Niger Delta residents.
Meanwhile, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku expressed that the Niger Delta people had shifted from militant protests to intellectual activism, resulting in the region benefitting from these efforts.
He mentioned, “Through our Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (Project HOPE), we have offered more opportunities and hope to the Niger Delta youths, aimed at identifying their interests for skills training.”
Ogbuku revealed that Project HOPE had facilitated the creation of a comprehensive digital database by the Commission, containing vital information about the Niger Delta youths, including their qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and current employment status.
He highlighted the NDDC’s collaboration with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to train youths and budding entrepreneurs in the region.
He detailed how the Commission would partner with the Chamber of Commerce to support Small and Medium Enterprises in the area and ensure the sustainability of youth development programs.
“We will also collaborate with the Bank of Industry to fund projects, bolster businesses, and facilitate the success of our empowerment initiatives. We are dedicated to offering all necessary assistance for youth entrepreneurship schemes,” he added.
Ogbuku urged Niger Deltans to refrain from joining any protests that could disrupt the nation as such actions would impede progress and further impoverish the locals.
In a goodwill message, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu emphasized that unity and peace were essential for progress.
He praised the NDDC Board and Management for working together to enhance the Niger Delta region.
Similarly, PANDEF National Chairman Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien recognized the NDDC’s numerous accomplishments and appealed to Niger Delta youths to ignore calls for protests.
Ijaw Youth Council President Jonathan Lopkobiri asserted that the Niger Delta people had no business with those inciting youths to chaos, highlighting that the protesters’ demands did not address the long-overlooked East-West Road.
He commended the NDDC for aiding users of the road, which still faces threats from flooding.