Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
A coalition of Niger Delta youths on Tuesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, on the composition of soon-to-be inaugurated board for Niger Delta Development Commission.
The youths under the aegis of the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience noted that the choice of persons that made the list was widely acceptable to the people of the region.
The coordinator of the group, Izon Ebi, in a statement issued in Yenagoa observed that the President and Akpabio had endeared themselves to the Niger Delta youths and other stakeholders with the names of persons they chose.
The youths said the list is made up of the names of qualified and distinguished persons in the region capable of driving the new vision of the NDDC and the Niger Delta.
The group said persons such as Chief Bernard Okumagba, Chief Denyanbofa Dimaro, Mr Effiong Akwa, among others, were tested and trusted hands with verifiable track records.
They maintained that the list had indicated that the era of master and slave relationship as well as perpetual servitude was over for good in the NDDC and the region.
They reiterated its commitment to the peace and development of the Niger Delta region and expressed full support for the nominees.
They advised the nominees to be steadfast, focused and not to succumb to the Machiavellian antics of the ‘enemies’ of peace and development of the region, alleging that they had started regrouping to intimidate the minister to hijack the process of constituting the board.
“We want to advise the so-called nefarious groups and persons to openly disassociate themselves from the enemies of peace and development of the region or be prepared to face the wrath of the youths.
“We, therefore, advise them once again emulate the actions and activities of other organisations to promote peace and development of the Niger Delta region.
“It is on this note that we want to sound it loud and clear that we are not going to accept rascals and political jobbers to determine our future for us.
“It will not happen in this 21st century. The Niger Delta people will not like to lose out of the feat achieved by Akpabio because of the few enemies of the region.
“We want them to understand that in this 21st century, slave-master perpetual servitude is no longer fashionable and acceptable.
“We must commend President Buhari and Akpabio for building the confidence of the people by going for technocrats and grassroots mobilisers who understand the core developmental needs of the region in order to achieve the desired peace and development.” The statement read in part.