We should be included in NDDC Empowerments _ Niger Delta youths

The rejection of the Southern Youth Foundation (SYF) and Orashi National Congress (ONC) from the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) youth internship program has once again caused them to openly express their fury and displeasure. The groups led by Snr Comrade Amb Emeni Ibe released a statement in which the SYF and ONC denounced the NDDC’s apparent marginalization of these young groups. With the goal of giving 10,000 young people in the Niger Delta region financial help, the NDDC has introduced a youth internship program.

The Southern Youth Foundation and Orashi National Congress have criticized the commission for excluding out other important youth organizations in the region from the program, despite the fact that this project has been praised as a positive move towards young empowerment.

Amb Emeni Ibe emphasized the unfair treatment of these groups, calling it an obvious case of discrimination, while speaking on behalf of the SYF and ONC. “This empowerment effort unfairly excludes thousands of young people in the Niger Delta, including the Southern Youth Foundation and Orashi National Congress. As young people from the area, this is an obvious instance of discrimination and a violation of our rights, Ibe said. “We call for inclusion and equitable treatment in the NDDC’s youth empowerment initiatives.

Comrade Emeni Ibe summoned the Managing Director of the NDDC to discuss the conduct of Mr. Matthew, the Special Assistant on Youth Matters, on behalf of the youth groups. He charged that Mr. Matthew, the SA, had purposefully left out the Southern Youth Foundation, prominent figures, and other organizations, undermining attempts to assist the MD in realizing his goals. “To order and monitor Matthew, the SA on Youth, the MD of NDDC should give him a call. We have tried to support the MD’s goals, but he has promised to exclude opinion leaders and the Southern Youth. It’s important not to take our assistance for granted, Ibe stressed.

The SYF and ONC have promised to keep up their advocacy efforts until all young people in the area are treated fairly and have equal access to opportunities. With its abundance of natural resources and oil, the Niger Delta has long served as a focal point for development initiatives. Youth organizations in the region, however, have frequently voiced their dissatisfaction over these efforts’ insufficient inclusion. The Southern Youth Foundation and Orashi National Congress have joined the growing chorus of people calling for increased openness and equity in the distribution of opportunity.