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1.0. TEXT OF SPEECH DELIVERED BY COMRADE NKPOWA YOUNG LEBARI, ON SALUTATION
The distinguished Chairman of today’s occasion,
Our great comrades from sister unions here present, vis-à-vis the
South South youth Assembly, National Association of Nigerian Students,
Delta youth Congress, Edo youth initiative for peace, the Trade Union
Congress and other allied unions,
Fellow Executive Council members and other teeming members of the
Niger Delta Youth Network for Peace (NDYNP) here present, Other
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
2.0. INTRODUCTION
I recall that in my maiden Press Conference addressed precisely one
week ago, I stated unequivocally that the cardinal Mission Thrust of
my leadership as the President of NDYNP will be to do everything
within my capacity to restore the dignity, glory and image of NDYNP;
and one of the ways I intended to achieve that was by shifting the
fulcrum of NDYNP operations from the convenient confines of Delta,
back to every each states and local government of the region, which in
my opinion-and perhaps inarguably-are the main cauldrons of youth
activism and unionism. It is on this note that I, on behalf of my
fellow executives and entire members of NDYNP, welcome you all to this
auspicious occasion, being the formal inauguration ceremony of the
First Executive Council of Niger Delta Youth Network for Peace. I
also thank you all for your efforts to be here today to witness this
occasion.
3.0. NIGER DELTA YOUTHS-THE NEED FOR SELF REDEMPTION
The Niger Delta Youth Network For Peace (NDYNP) has the historical
obligation of being the vanguard of the oppressed and downtrodden in
the region. It’s Charter of Demands incorporates such worthy causes as
to champion the cause for free, functional and qualitative education
at all levels; fight to attain a just and equitable society; advocacy
for democracy and good governance; the promotion and defence of human
rights, among others. In times past, this organization actually lived
up to its mettle, by agitating for the provision of scholarship to its
students, youth empowerment, grassroot mobilisation and awareness.
NDYNP was very instrumental back then in fighting against obnoxious,
anti-masses policies of government.
Why have I taken time to take us through this history? It is because
if we do not know where we are coming from, then we can never fathom
where we are going to! From such a lofty pedestal, NDYNP has
degenerated into an incubation ground for future politicians! NDYNP
leaders in recent past have made it a specialty to jostle for
recognition from members of the political elites, for pecuniary gains
and acknowledgment, while almost totally jettisoning the
organisation’s primary objectives. That has informed the domiciliation
of successive NDYNP Secretariats over the last decade in
Port-Harcourt. Now whatever my leadership’s mission may be to impact
on the Niger Delta Youth and the larger Nigerian society, it is
imperative to address the obvious cracks in the region, in order to
make it a viable force enough to bring about any major improvement to
society.
I shall therefore make it a priority to bring NDYNP back to its
initial purpose, restore vibrant youth activism, and revive the
payment of capitation fees (i.e. levies and Fund raising) in order to
create a financial base for the organization.
My leadership shall be committed to the release of all unjustly
arrested and detained youths of the Niger Delta region..
4.0. STATE OF THE NATION
4.1. Anti-Corruption
Having vividly identified corruption to be among the major banes of
Nigeria’s development, we want to urge President Goodluck Jonathan not
to relent in the war against the menace. Although in all fairness, we
must give Kudos to Mr. President in the fight against corruption, at
least in comparison to other administrations in the recent past.
Against this background, we ask for the review of the laws
establishing the anti-graft agencies vis-à-vis the EFCC and the ICPC,
to make them more viable. The fact that they only act on petitions
sent to them and do not have the powers to carryout independent
investigations and subsequent prosecution is a huge limitation of the
commissions’ powers. We should not forget that it is usually the
government itself that has the capacity to fight corrupt individuals.
No ordinary Nigerian who fears for his/her dear life will file a
petition against a super-rich individual! This has therefore made the
commissions to actually appear as tools in the hands of the government
of the day (which of course has all the powers to make petitions
against anyone) in order to witch-hunt its political opponents.
4.2. Terrorism and the Boko Haram Insurgency
We wish to reemphasize our condemnation of armed militancy and
terrorism under any guise. NDYNP condemns the activities of the Boko
Haram sect and urges the government to employ every means possible to
bring the activities to the organization to a halt. We sincerely
commiserate with all those who have directly or indirectly fallen
victims of the sects’ mayhem since its emergence a few years back. We
are not opposed to the use of dialogue by government, provided it nips
the menace in the bud. However, we believe that a more efficient
intra/inter community policing, engaging all the key elements of the
society vis-à-vis traditional, religious, community, trade, students
and youth organizations, etc is vital to identifying the roots and
members of the organization, and subsequently uprooting them.
5.0. CONCLUSION.
The issues to discuss are inexhaustible, given the fact that I do not
wish to task your patience. I am therefore forced to conclude this
speech. This is however, not without thanking the teeming Niger Delta
youths for giving us the mandate to lead them.
We also thank the various Niger Delta State Governors, for its
consistent patronage of our organization. My leadership is resolved to
strengthen its relations with the various Niger delta state governors,
the presidency, as well as with other like-minded assemblages, in its
bid to make Nigeria a better place for us all. We thank the management
and students of the Uvwie town hall, for providing us with this serene
ambience to organise this programme. We must also thank the members of
the press, for their efforts to come and give this occasion a
befitting coverage. Thank you all and God bless.
Long live Niger Delta Youths!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
………………………………………………
Comrade Nkpowa Young Lebari
President
Niger Delta Youth Network for Peace
