President Bola Tinubu has approved a monthly stipend of N50,000 for 10,000 youths in the Niger Delta to address prevailing economic hardships in the country.
This was disclosed by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference for ethnic nationalities, youths, and women in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to Akpabio, the payments will be made through the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme and will last for an initial 12 months, with a possibility of extension.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement this scheme immediately to support 10,000 youths with N50,000 monthly to cushion the current hardship,” Akpabio said.
He acknowledged the severe impact of oil and gas activities in the region and stressed that the economic challenges are being addressed by the president.
In addition to the stipend, President Tinubu has approved the commencement of the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for the region’s youths.
Akpabio also kicked against the forthcoming national protest, describing it as orchestrated by faceless individuals aiming to instigate chaos.
“There is nothing in the 10 points agenda for the national protest that captures the interest of the Niger Delta. The organisers are merely copycats imitating the situation in Kenya, not minding the potential anarchy their protest will bring upon this country,” Akpabio stated. He urged patience as the Federal Government’s policies and programmes take effect.
Also, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for calm and support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted the immediate implementation of resolutions from the recent Niger Delta Summit to accelerate regional development.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, warned that the protest would further damage the nation’s economy, which is already struggling due to the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the naira. He asserted that these initiatives are necessary to prevent Nigeria’s collapse.
NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku noted that President Tinubu inherited a very bad economy but has already initiated programmes to revive it. He highlighted ongoing projects like Project HOPE, which is bridging skill gaps among youths, and partnerships with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce and the Bank of Industry to support small and medium-scale enterprises.
Mr. Jonathan Lopkobiri, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, also urged Niger Delta youths, particularly Ijaw youths, to refrain from joining the national protest, emphasizing the importance of stability for development in the region.
