By: Oluwatosin Olusola
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has organized a Three Day Summit in Commemoration of the International Youth Day Celebration, with a theme “the Role of Youths in the Attainment of Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Region.”
Declaring open the summit holding in Akure, the Ondo State Capital, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, the Executive Director, Corporate Services of the NDDC, said the summit was put together as part of strategic plans to empower youths from the region.
Abegunde said “this programme is an initiative of the NDDC and is strategically designed for youths in Ondo State to commemorate the 2024 International Youth’s Day.
“The programme which bears the theme, “The Role of Youths in the Attainment of Sustainable Development in the Region’ is timely, considering the need for youths to be proactively involved in the development of Ondo State and the Niger Delta region at large.
“Sustainable development is an all-inclusive process and everyone including the youths have a significant role to play. When everyone fulfill their obligation required promoting development there is a greater sense of ownership which emboldens them to defend and preserves it.
“Today, while we ate focusing on the mole of out youths in the development of the Niger Delta region, we must all bear it in mind that every member of the society has a complementary role to play to achieve this objective.
“The youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow; In fact, the youths have a significant role to play today in order to assume leadership. They must engage with leaders, constructively criticise policies and equip themselves with knowledge and skills to guarantee that future that they deserve.
“The world is moving and skilled youth remain an asset to himself his community and indeed the nation.
“I therefore enjoin everyone to seize this opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn particularly given the wealth of experience and expertise of the various resource persons invited to pilot the programme,” the Executive Director, Hon Abegunde said.
Speaking on a Topic, “Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Tools for Development of the Niger Delta Region”, an Educationist, Dr Ola Falade said “there is a crucial need for the creation of awareness on entrepreneurship and industrial Innovation development in the region. Over the years, the development of entrepreneurship industrial innovations in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has been hindered by government policies, lack of adequate awareness of government programs, decay of infrastructure and power supply.
“Thus, there is a need for technological Innovation in education programmes which will enable our young graduates and youths in general the opportunities to develop and improve on their skills needed for entrepreneurial growth.
“It is therefore, recommended that government should ensure that basic infrastructural facilities as contained in its agencies master plan be completed to aid the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in the region.
“Government should pay more attention on the development of entrepreneurship skills in the region so as to forestall the youth restiveness and redundancy in the area. Federal government through its agencies should have a moral responsibility to supervise the conduct of multinational companies in the region to enhance their contribution in entrepreneurial skills acquisition for the people of the region.”
In her lecture, a legal practitioner, J.D. Akeredolu, who spoke on a topic, “the Youths and Peace-Building in the Niger Delta”, called for proper and effectively engagement of youths in peacebuilding in the Niger Delta.
“Strengthening Youth Led Organizations Support grassroots organizations that focus on youth empowerment and conflict resolution
“Partnership with Private Sector: Collaborate with companies and other industries in the region to fund youth empowerment program
“Policy Reforms Implement policies that pr education, skill development, and youth to governance
“Community-Based Approach: Adopt bottom-up approach that Involves traditional leaders, local government, and civil society organisations in peace bukling efforts
“The youths of the Niger Delta hold the kity to tuttar peso and development in the region. By empowering them with the right tools, opportunities, and platforms, they can transform from being perceived as potential agitators to champions of peace.
“Investing in the potential of the Niger Delta’s youth is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in the region.”
Also, a Youth Advocate, Olaleke Oni, who delivered lecture, “The youths as Change Agents in the Niger Delta Region”, said “by fostering their engagement in youth environmental advocacy, economic development, and and social justice, we can empower them to address the pressing challenges facing their communities.
“The path forward requires collective effort and commitment from all stakeholders, including government, civil society, and their the youths themselves. Harnessing their energy, and creativity, and determination could lead to a more to sustainable and equitable future for the Niger Delta region.”
