By Chantelle Tindall
The maiden edition of the African Youth Development Summit was hosted by the Niger Delta Youths Association (NYDA) in Swansea, Wales.
The event was attended by members of the Nigerian community in the UK – mainly those living in Wales, members of the Welsh community, and the Nigerian High Commission as represented by its Minister, Education, Consular & Welfare - Mr. Emmanuel Namah, and President of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) – Dr. Boma Douglas. Also in attendance were delegates from Nigeria including: Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Niger Delta Matters – Dr. Felix Tuodolor, and President of Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) Pereotubo Roland Oweilaemi.
Welcoming guests, the President of the NYDA, Comrade Victor James, emphasised the need for the presence of a Consulate of the Nigeria High Commission in Wales, to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians travelling the long distance to London for new Passports or Renewals. He also spoke on the need for youth empowerment in terms of proper job creation in the Niger Delta, the abolishing of "God fatherism" to allow for fair play of youth involvement in politics. He also spoke on the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta Region and the need for better practices by the multinational oil companies operating in the region.
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Dr. Boma Douglas spoke on the need for the people of the Niger Delta region to re-orientate their thought process. He urged the players at the helm of affairs both at State and Federal levels to go back to the drawing board, to the original ideas of the elders in the 1960s and 1970s, which was characterised by passion and a craving to advance the livelihood of the youths and people of the region. He also advised stakeholders to abandon any personal issues to pave way for a collective motion to drive progress. Douglas further advised members of the Nigerian Community in Wales to ensure unity and harmony amongst themselves, and get registered with CANUK.
Mr. Emmanuel Namah spoke about youths and the quest for leadership, emphasising the need to produce thoroughbred youths to take over the leadership of the country and resist being used by politicians to cause chaos and violence. He opined that the problem of Niger Delta is not different from that of the rest of the nation - identifying selfishness and greed as very destructive traits impacting the country.
Mr. Namah emphasised the need for community cohesion devoid of rancour - which would encourage the Mission to consider the representations to establish a Nigerian Consulate in Wales
Dr. Felix Tuodolor focused on the changes the people of the Niger Delta region want to see. He emphasised three key phrases: qualitative education, equity and fairness. On the subject of multinational companies operating in the region, he stated, that there are different laws for other extractive industries, which protects their environment and livelihood, while the laws governing extraction of crude oil in the Niger Delta, makes no provisions for better practices that safeguard lives, livelihoods and the environment.
Pereotubo Roland Oweilaemi spoke on oil spillage in the Niger Delta region and the clean-up. According to him, crude oil spill in the region is a 'menacing venom,' highlighting the fact that weak legislation governing oil exploration has meant that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been unable to enforce laws to ensure oil companies take responsibility. According to him, it was an eureka moment when the current government stated that a clean-up of the Ogoni kingdom was about to begin. Unfortunately, up until this moment, there has been no further development, Mr. Oweilaemi added. He called on all the necessary bodies, both home and abroad, to come to the aid of the Niger Delta people to bring about justice, equity and fairness – urging that these pollutions especially from gas flaring - must stop. He called for concise action to be taken to start a massive clean-up, and also to compensate all the communities involved, stating that an impoverished community is an agitated community.
Ahead of the Summit, NYDA members and members of the Nigerian community in Wales paid a courtesy call on the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom - Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade CFR, CON; where they emphasised that the establishment of a Consulate in Wales would promote trade and investment opportunities, and create a strong relationship between Wales and Nigeria.
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Niger Delta Youths Association (NYDA) Wales visits Ambassador George Oguntade
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Niger Delta Youths Association (NYDA) Wales visits Ambassador George Oguntade
The NYDA is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in the UK with a mission focusing on: poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, promotion of employment opportunities, and the advocacy for youths to participate in politics in the Niger Delta Region.