Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
A former President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, has accepted his appointment as the Special Adviser on Youths’ Matter to the Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Effiong Akwa Effiong.
Eradiri urged the agitated youths of the region to sheathe their swords and support the new administration at the commission.
He also urged Ijaw youths to support the efforts of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akabio, and Akwa to reposition the commission for the delivery of purposeful development in the region.
Eradiri, who was the immediate past Bayelsa State Commissioner for the Environment, was appointed last week amid the rising agitation and protest against the appointment of Akwa as the sole administrator of the NDDC.
The appointment of Eradiri is seen as a masterstroke and has divided the camps of IYC and those planning to shut down the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in protest.
Eradiri, in a statement on Sunday entitled, ‘A call for calm’, urged the agitating Ijaw youths to see his appointment by the sole administrator as a call to national service and one that would serve the purpose of progress for the Ijaw nation and peace for Nigeria at large.
He pointed out that though he was in support of the immediate constitution of a substantive board for the NDDC, he asked the ijaw youths to ceasefire and support the sole administrator for the four months he would be in charge at the commission.
He said, “Let us cease fire and allow me navigate the course for our people; my capacity to engage is not in doubt, so trust me, my comrades. I know that four months is too small to achieve much but with the support from my boss, I know I can make a difference in your lives and our region.
“I was a commissioner for environment for five months. Under the harsh conditions I found myself, I struck the rock and water came out. Please, let’s calm down and support Akwa, the sole administrator for the short time he will be in charge.
“I stand with you on the constitution of the board on which the minister has already made pronouncement and so let’s give the benefit of the doubt to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and come on board let’s work together to achieve a better Niger Delta region.”
He, however, announced that the commission under the leadership of Akwa would engage stakeholders from the nine states of the region on the peace and development plan for the region.
He added, “The engagement will begin in Warri, Delta State, where I will be meeting with youth groups starting with IYC. After consultation with the leaderships, we will together draw up the roadmap for sustainable and practicable solutions to some of our problems and challenges to enable the sole administrator to have an all-inclusive plan for our young population.
“I know you will never fail me as one of you and so I reiterate my appeal for the Ijaw youths to support the sole administrator and Godswill Akpabio to reposition the NDDC to its purpose for the true development of the Niger Delta.”