Fulfil your promises on youth empowerment, group urges Akpabio, Ogbuku 

The Niger Delta Youth Movement has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to expedite action on their promises of empowering the youth of the region.

The Senate President and the NDDC MD had promised holistic youth empowerment during the recently concluded Niger Delta Youth Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a statement on Saturday by its National President, Ekene Frank, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the group expressed appreciation for the Senate President’s fatherly disposition towards the region.

He urged him to act swiftly on his promises.

“I sincerely thank the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his fatherly disposition towards the region. His harmonious relationship with the youth of the region was evident at the recent Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“While thanking the Senate President and the Samuel Ogbuku-led management of the NDDC for their pledge of holistic youth empowerment at the recently concluded Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference, we urge that action be expedited,” the statement said.

Regarding the ongoing nationwide hunger protest, Frank commended the youth of the region for refusing to join the protest against the President Tinubu-led administration. He explained that the Niger Delta youth shunned the protest because they have seen verifiable indices of commitment by the administration toward addressing the economic hardship in the country.

The statement read, “The National Executive Council of the Niger Delta Youth Movement appreciates the youth of the Niger Delta region for refusing to join the protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While not feigning ignorance of the economic challenges in Nigeria, we have seen verifiable indices of commitment towards reducing these challenges in the short term and gradual revamping of our economy in the long run.

“There are also strong and concrete demonstrations of good governance within the nine states of our region through deliberate programmes that are impacting citizens in rural areas.”

Frank also appreciated President Tinubu for his concern for the Niger Delta region, noting that it is under the present administration that the South-East Development Commission was signed into law.

“Under President Tinubu, the South East Development Commission was signed into law – something that should have been done immediately after the Nigerian civil war,” the statement added.