If the Niger Delta region will exit its current state of underdevelopment and witness a new wave of multifaceted development, youths of the region must be involved in the multifarious efforts at achieving the desired outcomes, stakeholders have said. 

This consensus was reached at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Rivers State chapter of the Niger Delta Student Union Government (NIGSUG) at the NUJ Secretariat, Port Harcourt on Friday, January 15, 2021.

The newly inaugurated state executive of NIDSUG include the Coordinator, Jumbo, Iderima Abinye; Deputy Coordinator, Tom Prince; Deputy Coordinator (Projects), Igwe Thankgod Nlenla; Deputy Coordinator (Corporate Affairs), Nnodim Chizi Greatman; Deputy Coordinator (Diaspora), Tamuno Isaiah; Deputy Coordinator (Education), Harrison Godsave; Deputy Coordinator (National Affairs), Ohalem Ijeoma; and Secretary, Napoleon Moses.

Others were the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Barinadap Prosper; Financial Secretary, Jumbo Tamunonye Samuel; Treasurer, Dianna Okparanta; Director of Arts and Entertainment (Socials), Praise Eweh Isioma; Administrative Provost 1, Gogonte-Awaji Idomo David; Administrative Provost 2, Kpenu Buraba Solomon; Director of Planning and Strategy, Wokoma Prince Dala; Director of Public Affairs, Bobmanuel Nelson; Director of Environment  and Strategies, David Solomon Jackmay; Director of Transport and Logistics, Michael George Sekibo; Legal Adviser, Oriyebaka Ezekiel; and Director of Health and Strategies, Mgboawaji J.

Addressing the attendees at the epochal event, the Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kristina Business Consult Limited, owners of Kristina Reports, a virtual medium based in Port Harcourt, Godswill Jumbo challenged the students to prioritize and mainstream the agenda of developing the region.

He pointed out to them that resource-rich region has the potential of surpassing the development credentials of Dubai but the right leadership has not been provided, which would have seen the harnessing of the rich resources of the region.

Jumbo stated that a new leadership paradigm was necessary if the utopian expectations of the region would be birthed, charging the students to step in with the right credentials to take over leadership positions across various sectors of national life, adding that this includes leveraging the wisdom of the past leaders and elders of the region.  

The Media buff praised the newly inaugurated State Coordinator of NIDSUG, Prince Iderima Jumbo for his forthrightness, resourceful leadership and versatility, noting that over the years that he had known him he has continued to exude estimable influence over his peers and other youths.

He enjoined him to bring these sterling qualities to bear in his leadership of the Rivers State chapter, charging him to focus on leaving noble legacies in his stride.   

On his part, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), Austin Okpara charged the newly inaugurated leadership of the Rivers State chapter to hit the ground running, stressing that it is time to work to justify the confidence reposed in them by the students who elected them into office.

“There is no dulling. Before you are saddled with this position most of you have been very hardworking, attending meetings here and there. That is what it takes as you now have this position. So, you will be called upon even when you have lectures. You will be called upon even when you are sick. You will be called upon even when you have other schedules, even when you want to go to church, there are some emergencies that you just have to make a choice between such and that responsibility that.”

“It has to do with decision making. It has to do with your resolve to ensure that Niger Delta students have direction. That they continue to put more effort to ensure that the position you are handling today that you do it to the best of your ability.”

He also advised the students to be supportive of their leaders, pointing out that electing leaders into office was just an aspect but that they need to provide them the necessary support to succeed in office.

“And for those who are being led you also need to encourage your leaders. The executive you elected and which we have inaugurated today you need to be by their side because without you they cannot succeed. So, all hands have to be on deck.”

He expressed confidence in the leadership capabilities of Prince Iderima Jumbo, stating that he will take the union to higher heights, assuring him of the support of the NDYM to achieve set objectives.  

Also speaking, the National President of the Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG), DGreat Maaloo said he was delighted over the day’s event, observing that it was a special day given that Rivers State is the epicentre of the Niger Delta struggle, noting that most national officers of the NIDSUG have come from Rivers State schools.

He encouraged the chapter to be focused on ideas and initiatives that would better the lot of Niger Delta students, stressing that it was important that students from the region own the efforts to emancipate the region from the shackles of underdevelopment and lack of progress.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Coordinator of the Rivers State chapter of NIDSUG, Prince Iderima Jumbo thanked the students and the dignitaries that graced the occasion for the honour done him, pledging that his administration will work to resuscitate the lost glory of the region.  

“We are here as a fresh leadership to resuscitate, rejuvenate and reposition the union by catering for the welfare of our dear Niger Delta students, encourage socio-economic variables, promote education, encourage leadership at all levels, scholarship, entrepreneurship and empowerment, industrial training opportunities and trainings of all kinds.”

He further promised that his administration will engage “our fathers in the region,” and local governments, state governments, companies, non-governmental organizations, and the NDDC to achieve our objectives”.