IOCs Sabotaging Peace, Dev In Rivers -NYCN

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has accused international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Rivers State of sabotaging efforts to promote peace and development of the state, by refusing to partner youth groups to achieve set goals.
The Chairman of the state chapter of NYCN, Sukubo Sara-Igbe, made the accusation while fielding questions on a Silverbird Rhythm 93.7 News and Current Affairs Programme, View Point, monitored in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The youth leader claimed that the appeal for support by the National Youth Council of Nigeria to enable it host activities to mark the International Youth Day has been majorly ignored by many oil multinational companies operating in the state.
He, however, commended the indigenous oil firm, Belema Oil and the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for rising to the occasion by providing needed support for activities to commemorate the International Youth Day billed for August 12.
“First, I need to thank the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike. For the past few years, he has been the one driving the process of International Youth Day, and we are still looking up to him to do more in the days ahead.
“The multinational oil companies operating in Rivers State are not friendly. They are not supportive in anything the youth are doing in the state. We have concluded that after this International Youth Day programme, the youth will take their future in their hands. We want to stand and fight for the state, and the future of young people of Rivers State.
“I will ensure that during the thanksgiving service on Sunday, the youth turn out in their large numbers to rededicate their lives to God, so that God may redirect our steps,” Sukubo noted.
He further expressed delight that the NYCN was also in partnership with Big Brother Nigeria to celebrate this year’s International Youth Day.
Sukubo, who is also the chairman, Rivers State Youth Council of Nigeria, explained that Environmental and Security Summit would be held as part of activities to mark the International Youth Day in Rivers State.
“There will be no development, if the environment is not secured. We are looking at what we did at the national level. We plan to engage young people to secure the peace and security of the state. We are working on a draft declaration in the form of a communiqué that will be transmitted to all the 23 local government areas (LGAs) simultaneously. We will make a copy available to the state governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly, indicating the youth’s commitment to peace, security and development of the state”, he added.
“We also believe that all communities in the state will buy into the peace resolution of the youth in the state, because it is in the overall interest of all stakeholders, Sukubo said.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana