The Chairman, Idaa-Obolo pressure group, a socio-cultural organisation, Mr Syrus Nkangwung, has said that the development of the rural communities was critical to the country’s quest for economic growth.
Nkangwun told newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday that governments at all levels should set aside a special fund and create ministries or agencies to implement the task to implement the rural development initiative.
According to him, developing the rural areas will prevent rural-urban drift.
The chairman said the pan-Andoni group had taken the initiative to develop communities in Obolo-speaking areas in five states.
He said as part of efforts towards ensuring economic growth in the communities, the group had instituted annual summits to enlighten some youths on the role of education in poverty eradication.
Nkangwung said the youths were drawn from the Obolo ethnic group extracted from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross-River, Bayelsa and Abia States.
He noted that Obolo people in their various states faced similar challenges of under-development such as poverty and high illiteracy rate.
Nkangwung urged Obolo youths in the identified states to shun violence and improve on their economic potential by embracing education.
“The unity summit  is a measure to further strengthen peaceful cooperation among the Obolo people across the states of the federation and attract development to the area.
“We have made a landmark achievement by uniting the Obolo people from their various segments though faced with logistics problem, in respect to distance.
“We are determined to continue this annual enlightenment programme to help our youths to overcome poverty through education.
“Education will continue to serve as tool for development, peace and economic freedom to the Obolo ethnic group in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Minister of State for Power, Mr Mohammed Wakil (left), with the Leader of Investors from the United States, Mr Ron Yefeez, during their visit to the Minister in Abuja, last Monday. Photo:NAN