President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to youths in the Niger Delta region to shun the planned nationwide protest against bad governance billed to start from Thursday, August 1 to 10 across the country.
The Senate President, who made this appeal at the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference for Ethnic Nationalities, Youths and Women, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, said that the protests would not take place in the nine Niger Delta states, because it is a protest-free zone.
He noted that those calling for the nationwide protest and usurpation of the current administration are faceless.
Our correspondent reports that the Senate President at the conference also launched a Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for 10,000 youths of the Niger Delta region to be paid fifty thousand naira monthly.
Akpabio, who acknowledged the economic hardship in the country also appealed to Nigerian youths, particularly those in the Niger Delta region, to give the current administration a chance to implement its policies and address pressing and socio-economic issues affecting the Niger Delta and the country in general.
He noted that the Tinubu administration will release necessary funds for critical projects in the region, and as Senate President, he will ensure that the needs and dreams of the people of the region are realized.
He said: “Give Tinubu a chance to deliver on his policies and some people ask how long. Actions are being taken by the government to do everything possible to meet the needs of the people because we recognise the difficult times.
“So, as the Senate President I want to appeal to all Nigerian Youths to give this administration an opportunity for most of the policies to mature.
“So the whispers of our nation are already receiving attention. The economic challenges are known by the president because all of us feel the impact of what is happening now.
“But we are aware that it is for a short while. The specific issue faced in the Niger Delta must be contained in that communique.
“We acknowledged the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our community it reshaped our lives, our economy and our environment, so we must expedite actions to address those concomitant socio-economic issues that have arisen as a consequence.
“Be rest assured that the Tinubu administration will release the necessary funds for critical projects in the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director and CEO of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku had earlier said there was no point for the Niger Delta people to join in the proposed nationwide protest noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu means well for the Niger Delta, and has approved key appointments from the region.
Ogbuku revealed that the Internship Scheme launched by the Senate President, aimed at uplifting the youth and women of the Niger Delta region, is another testament to the government’s human face and willingness to listen to the needs of its citizens.
He noted that the people of the Niger Delta region had since transited from militant agitation on the streets to intellectual struggle, noting that the region is now reaping the benefits of the struggles.
“We have given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through our Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, HOPE, meant to identify interests of the youths for skills training.”
