A paramount chief in Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Chief Owabie Tobin, the Eze Onumini 1 of Port Harcourt has expressed dismay over Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan’s inability to empower and create job opportunities for Niger Delta youths.
In an exclusive interview with the Political Editor of The Newswriter newspaper at his Akokwa, Diobu residence in Port Harcourt, Chief Owabie who lamented over the hardship of the Niger Delta youths roaming about in the streets as a result of unemployment as well as the under developed situation of Niger Delta area while they have a son as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, described it as shameful and should be addressed.
The royal father who is also the coordinator of the Progressive Forum of Nigeria (PFON) Port Harcourt chapter, recalled how some members of the PFON including those from Bayelsa who visited him in his Akokwa residence said they wanted to let Dr. Goodluck Jonathan know that the youths of Niger Delta are not empowered, there is underdevelopment in the area and that even some roads leading to his (Goodluck Jonathan) town, Otueke, Ogbia LGA Bayelsa State, are not tarred.
PFON expressed disappointment thatDr. Goodluck Jonathan did not carry them along in the scheme of things, recalling that when the Northern presidents were in power, they carry their northern brothers along in the scheme of things, empowered them, which is why they have more people in power than the Niger Delta people, regretting that Dr. Jonathan instead of empowering his people, concentrated in empowering the northern people.
Chief Owabiue, however recalled how Mrs. Blessing Nsiegbe a lawmaker representing Port Harcourt constituency II in the Federal House of Representative advised members of the PFON to be patient with Goodluck Jonathan on empowerment issue.
He said, “We were in a meeting with her. Mrs. Nsiegbe advised the PFON members of about 300 comprising youths and elders to calm down, stressing that Goodluck Jonathan has good plans for the people of Niger Delta including members of PFON.
According to her the fund for the empowerment has not been budgeted and that the lawmakers are working out modalities for that venture, promising that as soon a they are okay, the youths and the people of the area would be empowered.
She advised the youths to support Dr. Jonathan and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the governor of Rivers State for them to succeed, as well as advised them to shun acts capable of creating violence in the society.
Chief Owabie who commended governor Amaechi for his good governance and his developmental strides across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State and as the chairman of the governor’s forum of Nigeria efficiently, praying that God should give him more wisdom and strength to continue his good works and advised the youths and people of the state to support him to achieve his desired goal of making Rivers State the best in the federation. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
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