N’Delta youth movement gives NDDC ultimatum to pay stipends

Dennis Udoma, Uyo

Again, the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), has issued a 5-day ultimatum to the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his management team to pay their backlog of allowances or be ready to face their trouble.

This is coming amidst tensions by the beneficiaries of the “Niger-Delta Youth Internship Programme” in their respective States in the region demanding payment of the arrears of allowances owed them by the Commission in the past five months.

The ultimatum, which was contained in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Capt. Ovie Owens and made available to DAYLIGHT REPORTERS in Uyo on Monday stated inter alia that; “We are giving this notice as a warning by responsible and concerned Niger-Delta youths, to NDDC that on the expiration of our ultimatum on Friday; we shall be compelled to picket the State Offices of the Commission in the respective States of operation should the Commission fails to pay our backlog of allowances.

“That the Commission was established to intervene in areas of infrastructural lack, empowerment and wellbeing of the people in the region especially, youth to correct the imbalances in entrepreneurship, job creation and employment without suffocating them or imposing additional hardship and lack, where the Federal or State governments cannot swiftly response to the immediate needs and yearnings of the people.

“That, since the first tranche of N50,000 was paid on February 10, 2025, the Commission has turned a deaf ear to the outcries of beneficiaries across the region for 5 months, without considering the debilitating economic hardship on the people.

“That, to avoid the anger of the youth, we again appeal to the Commission in particular, and the National Assembly Committees on the Niger-Delta for swift intervention in this regard.

“That, we also called on the Distinguished Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to come to the aid of the beneficiaries by prompting the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his management to act appropriately, while we are trying to calm down members in the meantime.

“We declare our total support to Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his ongoing economic and political reforms in the country.

“While we declare our support for your re – election in 2027, the youth of the Niger Delta want the presidency and the National Assembly to monitor the performances of State Governors, as well as the Local Government Councils in the country how they apply funds to the development of their States and the Council Areas to stem rural – urban migration.”