Niger Delta: Young leaders advocate panacea for development

Young leaders in the oil-rich Niger Delta region have pushed for strategic regional engagement and affirmative leadership as a panacea for development.

The leaders unanimously adopted this position during the Niger Delta Young Leaders’ Webinar conference, with the theme: “Leadership and Economic Challenges in the Oil Niger Delta’ Solutions and Prospects”.

They advocated that the region set aside its culture of mediocrity and faulty leadership process.

They also pushed for an urgent blueprint for technology and broadband infrastructure, as well as support and encouragement for young women.

Lending his voice to the call, Dawari George, former lawmaker who represented Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru federal constituency of Rivers state, harped on the need for the region to define its own problems.

He said in spite of the huge investment capital in the region, the Niger Delta was still plagued with mediocrity.

He regretted that the raw materials that abound in the region have not been properly harnessed to facilitate development and create economic relief for the region and its people.

“The Niger Delta can lead without a symbol of authority,” George said.

Convener of the discussion and chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Moses Siloko Siasia, said it is important for the voice of young individuals to be heard, considering the “times we are in as a people and a country”.

According to the NYPF boss, it was time to change the narrative and bring in those who are well-oriented.

While hailing the leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for promoting local content in the country, he added that revolutionising the agricultural sector was necessary to diversify and create value which would, in turn, reflect on the country’s GDP.

Siasia further highlighted on the importance of regional engagement and partnership, insisting that governors in the Niger Delta region were working with political concerns, rather than economic progress.

He, however, commended the Akwa Ibom governor for his contribution and initiative in driving the state’s aviation sector with the establishment of Ibom Air, a project he described as a “pride” to the region.

“Leaders are not remembered after their reign for roads and bridges, they are remembered for their deliberate efforts in Human Capacity Development and building of strong institutions before and after their reign,” he said.