Nigerian Government Approves Monthly Stipend for 10,000 Niger Delta Youths

In a bid to mitigate the current hardship in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved a monthly stipend of N50,000 for 10,000 Niger Delta youths. The announcement was made by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference for ethnic nationalities and youths and women in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The payment will be made under the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme and will last for an initial 12 months with the possibility of extension. Akpabio emphasized that this move is part of Tinubu’s efforts to address the region’s challenges and urged against participation in the national protest scheduled for August 1.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement this scheme immediately to support 10,000 youths with N50,000 monthly to cushion the current hardship. Akpabio acknowledged the severe impact caused by oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta and assured that prompt action is being taken to address these issues.

Tinubu has also approved the simultaneous commencement of the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project from both states, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for the region’s youths. According to Akpabio, the forthcoming national protest was orchestrated by faceless people aiming to instigate chaos and damage across the country.

The senate president pointed out that necessary funds were being allocated for critical projects to meet the needs and dreams of the Niger Delta people. He urged for patience as the Federal Government’s policies and programmes take effect, emphasizing that one year was too short a timeframe to measure its success.

Other notable figures, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, also expressed their support for the initiative. Kalu called for calm and support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while Ekpenyong warned that the protest would further damage the nation’s economy, which could take years to recover.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that Tinubu met a very bad economy and had already initiated programmes to revive the economy. According to him, the Niger Delta was beginning to see the fruits of long-standing militant agitations for development under the present Federal Government.

The Project HOPE is bridging the skill gaps among our youths, while we are working with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to train youths and young entrepreneurs of the region. We are also collaborating with the chamber to support small and medium scale enterprises as well as partnering the Bank of Industry to fund our empowerment initiatives. Youths should avoid participating in protest that could destabilise the country and hinder development, ultimately impoverishing the people, he pleaded.

Jonathan Lopkobiri, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, reiterated that Niger Delta youths, particularly Ijaw youths, should refrain from joining the national protest.