The Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) with chapters in the nine states of the Niger Delta region and the city of Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State as its national headquarters, has warned governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state that his second tenure should be about qualitative governance as obtainable in Lagos state and other states where technocrats are running government.
The movement also tasked the governor on appointment of young technocrats who can contribute to the growth and development of the state and warned seriously that “the period of politicking is over and the practice where political gladiators are given sensitive appointments as compensation for their roles during electioneering must be discontinued.
“As this administration winds to an end in a few days, (on May 29, 2019) we would like to urge governor Ifeanyi Okowa to appoint young and vibrant technocrats, who truly know the onus of their trade, to drive his cabinet and agenda. Delta State has enough resources to be the leading light in Nigeria in-terms of infrastructural development, manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology. Delta State should not be among “wealthy yet docile states” run on analogue ideals.”
Issuing the warning at Ifiekporo town, Warri South local government area of Delta State on Saturday, during the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected state executive of NDYM, the umbrella body of all Niger Delta youth groups in Nigeria, led by Monoyo Edon, noted that “Every tribe in Delta state parades men and women of excellent character with requisite qualifications across party lines capable to drive your cabinet. In the end, equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy will boost the economic fortunes of our dear state.”
According to the state chairman, Monoyo Edon, while delivering his address, noted that Delta State parades vibrant youths with modern knowledge of governance from across all ethnic groups in Delta that can serve excellently well in the second administration of Okowa.
“As we begin a new chapter in NDYM Delta State Chapter, my administration will focus on consolidating on the gains and hard work of our predecessors. Most noticeable on the list of achievements is their ability to maintain cordial relationship amongst the five ethnic nationalities that make up NDYM, Delta State. For far too long, IOCs and our self-aggrandizing brothers in government have continued to play the ethnic card much to our disbenefit.
“The Ijaws believe the Itsekiris, Urhobos or any other ethnic group come in between their dividends from government and IOCs. The Itsekiris are suspicious of alliances with their neighbouring ethnic groups against Multinational firms that shortchange her people. The Urhobos, Isokos and Ndokwas believe that they are the most marginalized in Delta State and the other ethnic groups play major role in the script of underdevelopment.
“In all of this, the youth are the pawns for violence and disruption of economic activities in our state and region. How does belabouring your neighbor solve the marginalization question in Niger Delta or failing Corporate Social Responsibilities by I(I)OCs?. As in other Niger Delta States, Delta’s tumultuous story of underdevelopment is best described by this Indian fable; A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form.
“Out of curiosity, they said, we must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable. So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. In the case of the first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said This being is like a thick snake. For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant is a wall. Another who felt its tail described it as a rope.
“The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear. There was conflict among the men -each trying to impose his ‘truth’ on the others. Similar conflict is rife amongst us in Delta State. Our “elephant” is tribal supremacy, poverty, greed and incompetence. Each of these vices (responsible for the underdevelopment of our state) is peculiar to every ethnic group. Leaders who plunder the resources of their ethnic nationalities are the ones pitching tribes against one another. We must not fall for this gimmick which lines their pockets.”, Edon stated.
The newly inaugurated state chairman of NDYM, expressed appreciation to the founding fathers and stakeholders for gifting them NDYM, which is the umbrella body of all Niger Delta Youth groups in Nigeria saying that the sacrifices, love and passion of the founding fathers for the state and region have sustained the movement in the almost twenty years of its existence.
“I must not fail to thank the immediate past executive for laying the foundation for a paradigm shift in the affairs of NDYM by transiting power to a dynamically young executive. They are the longest serving state executive, perhaps in the history of youth groups in Nigeria; taking up leadership Barton in 2003 till 2019.
“I do not think they wanted to stay that long but you will agree with me that those were tortuous years and we needed the executive to be the poster child for unity and stability safeguarding the ideals of our founding fathers. Thank you for your sacrifice and patience. NDYM, by its equality principle has helped Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Urhobo, Isoko and Ijaw to identify that our common problem is underdevelopment; not diversity.
“This new administration will anchor its programs on the tripod of Capacity Building, Empowerment/Employment Generation and Wealth Creation for youths of Delta State while maintaining peaceful coexistence among the ethnic nationalities of the state and region. We shall work closely with government, multinational companies to ensure that oil facilities are secured. We believe there are better ways to get government and companies to be alive to their Corporate Social Responsibilities rather than destroying facilities, which has adverse effects on our economy and land.
“I am unapologetically Uduaghanist and of the APC tendency. Hence, I am an opposition in our state. But my political disposition (which is separate from this group) does not translate to witch-hunt to the government of the day. My political disposition nonetheless does not bar me from expressing my thoughts on how our state is govern because I am first Deltan before aligning with any political inclination. Political parties are just a vehicle to positions where we can dole out the dividends of democracy. NDYM belongs to no political party. Our members cut across all political leanings.
“The world is moving fast and Delta State must flow with the tide. The period of politicking is over. The practice where political gladiators are given sensitive appointments as compensation for their roles during electioneering must be discontinued. Every tribe in Delta state parade men and women of excellent character with requisite qualifications across party lines capable to drive your cabinet. In the end, equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy will boost the economic fortunes of our dear state.
