Peace Summit: King Ateke Tom, Chief Diplomat Call for Unity Amongst Various Ethnic Groups for Development of the Niger Delta Region
Portharcourt _____ The Traditional Ruler of the Ancient Okochiri kingdom in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM. King Ateke Michael Tom and the National President of the Niger Delta Progressive Youths Leadership Foundation (NDPYF), Chief Diplomat Adam E.O. Ogomugo Marbo, aka voice of the voiceless has called on the various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region to be united and collaborate in order to fastrack infrastructural development as well as to ensure a sustainable development, economic and political stability in the region.
The duo made the statement on Friday in Portharcourt, during a one day Niger Delta Youth Peace Summit organized by the Niger Delta Progressive Youths Leadership Foundation (NDPYF).
According to the National President of the formidable youth organization that is spread across the nine Niger Delta oil producing states, Chief Diplomat Marbo Ogomugo said without unity amongst the various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region, there shall be no progress and even sustainable development in the region.
He noted that the event was organized to groom and mentor youths of the Niger Delta ahead of leadership position, adding that ND-PYLF was formed with the mandate on peace building as well as focused on the welfare and human capacity development of the youths of Niger Delta region.
He called on the youths of ljaw, ltsekiri, urhobo, Anioma, ogoni, ibibio, Agbo among others to come together as one formidable force despite political differences in order to demand for Justice and fairness in equitable distribution of the wealth (natural resources) accrue from the region by the federal government of Nigeria.
" It is time for us to fight against discrimination, ethnicity, political party affiliation among ourselves so as to enable us identify and vote for the rightful people that cannot mortgage our future into elective position", Marbo stated.
While HRM. King Ateke Tom, the sekuro 1 of Niger Delta and Amayanabo of the Ancient Okochiri kingdom decries marginalization of the Niger Delta region economically, politically and developmentally by the Nigerian government as well as multinational oil company's over the years.
He commended the Niger Delta progressive youths leadership foundation for organizing such a wonderful program to enlightened our youths to always maintain peace and use dialogue approach in demanding our needs from the federal government without resulting to violent.
Presenting his keynote address, Comrade Matthew Degi, who represented the honourable Minister for Youth Development noted that the youths are the future of the next generation, hence they should used the non violent approach to address contending issues affecting the Niger Delta region without resulting to crisis.
He said the youths of the various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region should love one another, adding that is the only way the region can move forward in terms of infrastructural development as well as economic independence.
He charged the youths of the Niger Delta region to jealously protect their environment, stressing that is the only dwelling place for the present and next generation of our nation Nigeria.
He finally admonished the youths to show love to one another, adding that with love we can tolerate one another towards achieving our collective goal.
In her remark, Hon. Faith Johnny, Director of Women affairs urged the organization to harness the various women potentials in order to protect the interest of women gender in the society.
She appreciated all those who avail themselves to participate in this years program, adding that ND-PYLF has come to change the narrative by engaging in peace building to actualize the developmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region.
In his reaction, Nigerian Nolly Wood Actor who acted the famous lsakaba movie, Mr. Hero Columbus Sanga charged the youths of Niger Delta region to always tow the line of peace, stressing that peace is priceless and that without peace it will be difficult to attract meaningful development to the region.
Delivering his speech, IYC Chairman Eastern Zone, Comrade Datolu SoKubo warn our youths not to be used by enemies of Niger Delta region in pulling down our sons and daughters at any exalted political positions across the country.
He noted that leadership is turn by turn and it comes from God, hence he emphatically caution our youths against the syndrome of pulling down our leaders by the influence of some selfish politicians. He therefore, charged our youths to have a rethink and work together towards the collective development of the Niger Delta region, he stated.
Delivering her goodwill message, Comrade Rosemary Egbesu charged our youths to bewise and not allow themselves to be used by politicians during elections to the detriment of their future, adding that the era of carrying arms for the political class is over.
However, the event also featured musical interlude and display by Trace Jefferiano, Jar Wonder, cultural dance display, comedy display by Mr. Right Yerin among other side attractions.