The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had called for the use of Skill Acquisitions by the youth to build a new face for the economic development of the Niger Delta Region.
Governor Okowa stated this at the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF 2021 Annual Lecture, with the theme, “Niger Delta Economy: Building a New Face For The Region” held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Orchid Hotels, Asaba.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Ovie Agas, said that issue of skill acquisition should be an agenda for the people of the region in order to create and build a human population that will add value to the region, to change the present narrative of unemployment of majority of the people, and dependent on the oil resources as the only means of employment.
While advocating for skills acquisition for youths as a way of diverting their minds from crime, Okowa said all the nine governors in the Niger Delta have policies and programmes aimed at changing lives of people in the region, as he pointed out that his administration through its various policies on youth development has created a stream of future economic power house, as many are now employers of labour.
He said all the governors that have taken turns to govern Delta State have invested in the lives of the people of the state, adding that his administration has invested much in the security of lives and property.
On the guest speaker at the event, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor said he was eminently qualified to address the issues of the Niger Delta and proffer solutions to the Niger Delta question.
Okowa said his predecessor contributed immensely to the peace being enjoyed in the region as he worked tirelessly during his administration to build and sustain peace in the oil rich region.
While saying that security is the responsibility of all, he said the state has a lot of programmes tailored towards the betterment of the residents and diverting their minds from criminal tendencies.
The governor said the issues raised by the former governor during the delivery of his lectures on ‘Niger Delta: Building a new face for the region”, will be applied to raise the living standard of Deltans.
While the governor agreed that the purpose of government is for the welfare, protection and security of lives and property, he noted that government cannot provide all the needs of the citizens.
While congratulating the members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, for their interest in the development of the Niger Delta Region, the Governor stated that the theme for this year’s DOPF lecture is a wakeup call for the region to work earnestly to change the narrative of the region.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Forum, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli said the 2021 theme became necessary as the region which produces the wealth of the nation, over the years have not shown signs of development, saying that they have not gotten the true value of the black Gold that is in their various communities.
He called for new channels of development plan for the Region, as it is filled with other resources, and waterfront that could be harvested for the good of the people, even as he condemned the continuous dependent of the governments of the region on allocation from the federation.
