Appraising Niger Delta Ministry and NDDC social engagement strategy

By Benjamin Obarinne

For the past few weeks, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have been engaging youths of the region on activities that will further peace, cohesion among various interest groups as well as stem the tide of vices. One of these outstanding engagements is the recent NDDC campaign against drugs, cultism, and other social vices organised in selected secondary schools within the region. Another one is the ongoing football competition still sponsored by the Commission.

The campaign against cultism, drug abuse and other social vices kicked off in Uyo on December 3 and continued in Rivers state till December 9.

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, who spoke in one of the schools in Bayelsa State said the Commission will spare no effort to curb the vices of drug abuse and cultism among students.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Youths and Sports, Mr. Offiong Ephraim, said youths must distance themselves from the problems of cultism and drug abuse to enable them contribute to the development of the Niger Delta region.

He explained that the campaign against social vices was meant to sustain the peace in the region by educating the youths, especially secondary school students on the dangers of cultism and drug abuse.

Audu-Ohwavborua, who shared educational materials, including electronic tablets and bags to students, urged them to become ambassadors and advocates of anti-cultism and drug abuse in their respective schools to help their colleagues shun such unwholesome practices.

The one day sensitisation tagged, “The Dangers of Drug Abuse and Cultism,” can be said to be a timely intervention from the commission considering the enormous challenges these vices have posed in our high schools. For instance, it is a sad commentary that students from two different schools who should engage in competition in order to guage their academic ability, are often seen fighting one another on needless cult supremacy battle. This campaign will not only serve as an eye-opener to the youths who may not be aware of the antics of purveyors of these vices, but will enhance peaceful co-existence among them. While the NDDC earns commendation for this one day campaign, the Commission should go beyond this by liaising with school authorities and relevant government agencies to scrutinize teachers in order to fetch out bad eggs who introduced these students into cultism.

Another strategic engagement is the recent football competition organized by the NDDC for teams within the region. The football competition which started on Monday 12 December, saw last year finalist, Delta United of Delta State defeating Ine Stars of Edo State by two goals to nil in a ceremonial game to kick start the second edition of the NDDC U17 Peace Cup football competition at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Earlier, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana O. Umana, who was represented by Mr Matthew Pukuma James, commended organisers, the Grassroot Sports Federation of Nigeria, for their initiative in putting the event together, stating that it will go a long way in uniting the Niger Delta region, which he said was in line with the cardinal policy of establishing the interventionist agency.

Declaring the competition open, the Minister called for the collective support of the tournament for it to succeed, and urged the participating teams to put up their best performance, as well as ensure fair play at all times, so as to key into the mantra of the competition which was to promote peace across the region.

“I would like to first and foremost thank the Government and the good people of Delta State for allowing a conducive atmosphere to host this special event in a period of National insecurity and economic challenge, this good gesture is indeed, worthy of commendation.

“I am particularly delighted to inform you that, this initiative is in line with the mandate of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in the promotion of Peace and Security as well as developing the human capital in the Niger Delta Region.”

The football competition is another lofty idea that should be applauded by Niger Deltans because it’s a well established fact that competition like this doesn’t only bring youths together, but unify them as well as foster unity among people of the region while also helping the youths to discover and harness their God given potentials.

The second edition of the NDDC U-17 football competition can be viewed as a remarkable achievement in the history of the commission, as it has clearly identified itself as a major partner toward improving the standard of football from the grassroots and also contributing to youth development in the region .

These strategic engagements are very important as they are indicators of good governance. The tournament can also be seen as a way of giving back to the people of Niger Delta.