Group begins awareness campaign on FG opportunities for Niger Delta youths

The Niger Delta Progressives Alliance (NDPA), a regional advocacy or youth-focused group, has launched a campaign to sensitise youths across the Niger Delta on how to access federal government empowerment programmes aimed at improving their socio-economic conditions.

At a one-day forum held in Asaba, Victor Udoh, NDPA convener, said many in the region miss out on federal interventions not due to exclusion but lack of information.

Udoh cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, noting that 65 percent of beneficiaries are from northern Nigeria, while only 35 percent come from the south, mostly from the south-west.

“It’s not that our people were denied; they simply didn’t apply. Many don’t even believe these opportunities are real,” he said.

Udoh said NDPA aims to equip citizens with the knowledge to access programmes like the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) without intermediaries or illegal fees.

He said economic empowerment would foster peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

ThankGod Trakiriowei, the Delta state commissioner for youth development, praised President Bola Tinubu and Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, for impactful programmes and encouraged youths to utilise federal and state platforms for empowerment.

Jator Abido, national coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide, expressed concern over the disparity in access between northern and southern youths.

He highlighted federal initiatives supporting the region, including pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), which has helped curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft, boosting production and creating jobs.

“More northerners are taking advantage of these programmes than southerners. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to educate our people about these initiatives – NELFUND, SMEDAN, and other presidential projects – and how they can change lives,” Abido said.