*Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Nigeria* –
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has delivered a passionate message to the youth of the Niger Delta region, urging them to embrace entrepreneurship as a catalyst for achieving sustainable development. Speaking at the Ogbia Youth Summit in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Ogbuku emphasized that meaningful youth engagement is vital for the progress and peace of any community.
In his keynote address, Ogbuku encouraged the youth to participate in the Commission’s Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE), a program designed to identify and develop the skills and interests of young individuals. He also called on them to reject cultism, drug abuse, thuggery, and other negative social behaviors.
Commending the youth’s vision to establish a youth hub, Ogbuku pledged his support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of collaboration in fostering development.
Ogbuku expressed the view that unity and collective interest should supersede individual pursuits, drawing inspiration from the example set by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who prioritized the well-being of Nigerians over personal ambitions. He stated, “What was handed to us by our founding fathers is the identity of an Ogbia man. Whatever achievement we must have accomplished today is as a result of the legacies established by late Melford Okilo and other notable leaders. These legacies made us strive for greatness.”
The NDDC Managing Director acknowledged the responsibility to bring peace and development to the Ogbia people and stressed the importance of collaboration and shared ideas to achieve success.
President of Ogbia Youths, Ambassador Johnny Jonathan, welcomed attendees and expressed their intention to focus on human capacity development among the youth. He praised Dr. Ogbuku for his support of youth programs and emphasized the need to educate young people about the critical role of peace in driving economic and infrastructural development. Jonathan expressed optimism about the positive impact of the youth hub in the near future.
Dame Patience Jonathan, representing former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Special Guest of Honor, advised the youth to avoid drug abuse due to its detrimental consequences. She emphasized that peace and unity were essential for sustainable development in the Ogbia community and encouraged the youth to collaborate with community leaders to drive further progress.
