Our leaders are responsible for our problems - Niger Delta youths

macfranc007 March 20, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Omotayo Yusuf

- Some youths from the Niger Delta region have accused their leaders of greed

- According to them, the region lacks accountable leadership, as it should have witnessed more development

- The youths called for unity which it said was important for the development of the region

Niger Delta youths have accused their leaders of squandering the resources of the region thereby putting it into serious problem.

The Nation reports that the youths under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Youth Leadership Forum (PANDLEAF) made this remark on Monday, March 19.

The youths accused their elders of being selfish which has plunged the region into poverty.

They said: “Poverty in the region was curious, unthinkable, unfortunate and worrisome when compared to the amount of money appropriated to the region by the Federal Government, state governments and intervention agencies.”

Richard Akinaka who is the president of the group met with presidents of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Urhobo Youth Council (UYC) and Itsekiri Youth Council (IYC) as part of his ongoing engagements with ethnic youth leaders in the region.

He said: “For instance, after the first two to three years of the establishment the Niger Delta Development Commission, the agency has perpetually become an instrument in the hands of those who control the region from Abuja to finance elections.

“Leadership is not given but it is a responsibility taken and as such we have to wake up now. Our region is not without resources or institutions, but our region only lacks accountable leadership.

“The major problem of the region is that of perennial leadership failure. We are embarking on this engagement with ethnic youth leaders in the region to instil a renewed sense of responsibility to peace, harmony and common development.

“We are here to talk to ourselves to promote ethnic harmony, peace as a generation, to advance a common economic, political and social agenda through objective political participation of youths."

He noted that their unity was important for the development of the region. He said: “The engagement is not about political parties but about the collective peace, unity and progress of the region.

“Young people who have been privileged to be part of government must not see those privileges as rewards for followership to advance personal interests but see such opportunities as platforms to add value to society by demonstrating capacity.”

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app

Meanwhile, a former security adviser to the government of Bayelsa state, Perekeme Kpodoh, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the sack of the chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee (PAC), Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd) saying the removal would promote peace in the Niger Delta and the ongoing anti-corruption war.

Kpodoh said Boroh's removal from office remains the answer to prayers by many indigenes concerned about the poor performance of the amnesty office and the rising threats to peace in the region.

Recall that Boroh was sacked from his position as coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for former Niger Delta militants by President Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo was announced as his replacement.

The development was contained in a statement by Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity on Tuesday, March 13.

Meet Bayo Adedeji, the Nigerian businessman making millions from selling yam - on NAIJ.com TV