By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja
A youth empowerment organisation, Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation (CYNDO) has tipped the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani, and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh, for the ‘Niger Delta Peace and Development Award’.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja over the essence of the award after its meeting, the National Coordinator, CNYDO, Comrade Joel Edegba, said the intention was not only to recognise the nominees for the award for their role in ensuing peace in the Niger Delta region but also to encourage them to do more for the region and nation at last, and also to create confidence in the people of the area in their leadership and be appreciated.
The organisation which has been independent on national development tailored in engaging young people in capacity building and self-reliance has its membership across the six geo political zones in the country.
Edegba said: “The Niger Delta Peace Award by Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation, CNYDO, was borne out of critical assessment of the Minister of State Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Osain Oguru, and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Boroh, in their contribution to the peace and development in the region.
“What we are doing is to send a message to these patriotic Nigerians that the public is aware of their stewardship to them. They are taking records of their individual contributions and efforts, and we followed all during the recent unrest that resurfaced after the 2015 general elections in the region, which almost crumbled the country’s economy and the roles they played with other stakeholders of the region and was able to restore peace in the region.
“We will finally give the award to one of the nominees very soon and that will spur others to do more for the region.”
He also added that the government should ensure that the promise made to set up modular refineries in the Niger Delta region was fulfilled by involving the youths in the area who have been into illegal refining of crude oil into petroleum products so that their knowledge and commitment to the oil and gas sector would be not in vain, and also for peace to reign in the region.