President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, was met with reassurance from the Niger Delta Youths regarding their unwavering support for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
They made it clear that they would not partake in the planned protests against the President, but rather continue to stand behind him in his endeavors.
Akpabio received this assurance while launching a Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for 10,000 youths in the region. During the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities and Selected Stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Akpabio emphasized that the proposed nationwide protests by some youths would not be taking place in the nine states of the Niger Delta, which he described as a zone free of protests.
Providing insights into the Youth Internship Scheme, the Senate President disclosed that the 10,000 youths would be involved in a program aimed at enhancing their skills, with the beneficiaries in the initial phase receiving a monthly stipend of N50,000.
Akpabio underscored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the development of the Niger Delta region, citing the recent inauguration of five flagship projects by the NDDC as per a Presidential directive, covering infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and electricity across the region.
Acknowledging the challenges in developing the Niger Delta region, Akpabio praised the NDDC for its efforts in improving the lives of the people through various projects.
He assured that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project would not only commence from Lagos but simultaneously from the Niger Delta as well. Additionally, he expressed confidence that the Commission would henceforth receive its full share of statutory allocations.
In a similar vein, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, highlighted the transition of the Niger Delta region from militant agitation to intellectual engagement, noting that the region is now reaping the rewards of this shift. Through the Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE), the NDDC has provided opportunities and hope for Niger Delta youths by identifying their interests for skills training.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, stressed the importance of unity and peace in achieving progress, commending the NDDC Board and Management for their collaborative efforts in developing the Niger Delta region. The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Ambassador Jonathan Lokpobiri, emphasized the irrelevance of inciting youths to anarchy and commended the NDDC for its efforts in addressing the neglected East-West Road.
However, the participants at the conference unanimously distanced themselves from the planned protests against the President Bola Tinubu-led federal administration, affirming their steadfast support for peace and development in Nigeria and the Niger Delta region specifically. Notable attendees included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpeyong, among other stakeholders from the oil-producing zone.
