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DELTA YOUTH SUMMIT 2008 DECLARATION
Related to country: Nigeria
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

THE ASABA YOUTH DECLARATION

On the 18th and 19th of January, 2OO8, the Delta Change Network (DCN) a non-partisan, non-profit-making and non-governmental organization hosted Delta Youth Summit captioned ‘’Exploring the Potentials of Youths in Development’’. This maiden summit, which was flagged-off in Asaba by the Honorable Commissioner, Directorate of Youth Development, Rev. (Mrs.) Omatsola Williams, featured paper presentations, plenary sessions, workshops, and working group sessions.

During the working group discussions, we the young people of Delta State deliberated on key issues on the following thematic areas; the environmental sustainability, infrastructural development, Human Capital Development, Health, ICT and Good Governance. All our discussions were centered on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the -3-Point agenda of the Delta State government; Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development and Peace and Conflict Resolution.

After this two day process we submit the following:

The Environment
We are aware of the amount of environmental degradation that has taken place in the Niger Delta since oil was discovered. We therefore say that;
- The impact of Oil Exploration on our environment poses the need for the state government to monitor the execution of regulatory polices and laws on gas flaring and oil spillages. More importantly, the state government should play active part in advocating for zero-gas flaring.
- The government should strengthen and effectively monitor the activities of the Delta State Oil Mineral Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC) to ensure that 1) Host communities are recognized for development projects.2) There is transparency in the awards and implementation of development projects. We also recommend that Independent Organizations i.e. Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and CBO be included in the monitoring of DESOPADEC projects.

- The state government set up a special commission to access the impact and externalities of oil exploration on the state since the inception of oil exploration for two reasons 1) To develop a holistic and time-relevant approach to solving the environment problems of the state.2)For documentation and be made available online.
- Policies should be made to stop indiscriminate bush burning and deforestation.


Infrastructural Development
The young people of Delta State are very much aware of the state of existing infrastructure in the state. We are also aware that for the state to attract local and foreign investor, it must pay attention the development of key infrastructure. We therefore declare that;

- The government pat attention to existing road networks within the state commercial centers and growing business districts and open more link roads where necessary.
- The government should pay urgent attention to power supply. We recommend that the state explore other sources of clean energy like solar to support the existing power capacity in the state.

- The government adopts the Public –Private Partnership approach in developing her infrastructure.

- All citizens of the state should respect and protect public facilities.



Health

- Youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases calls for government’s attention to providing youth-friendly Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centers for free anti-retroviral drugs.

- Sex education should be included in the school curriculum.

- It important to promote the African culture which supports abstinence.
- On the other hand traditional practices like female genital mutilation should be fought against with the instruments of power.

Entrepreneurship
We are aware of the rate of unemployment in Nigeria and Delta State in particular.

Resolving the Unemployment question through Entrepreneurship, calls for both individual and government participation.

- The government should implement policies that are youth-friendly and promote access to bank loans for young people through the microfinance scheme.

- Engaging young people in skills and capacity building programmes towards empowerment.

- Local and Foreign investors should be encouraged to set up businesses in the state so as to create jobs.

- Entrepreneurship Research and Development Centre should be developed in all the senatorial districts and affiliated to the various higher institutions in the state. To teach youth’s business start up skill.
- More publicity should be given to The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and its programmes should be made more attractive to young people.

Good Governance

The role of Good Governance in Accelerating Development calls for the government to foster constitutional enlightenment from the grassroots and create a democratic atmosphere for youths to explore their potentials in governance and development.

- All public office holders be more transparent and accountable to the public.
- Government policies should be subjected to public opinion/debate.
- The issue of corruption and ethnicity in political appointments should be fought against. The state should set up an independent anti-corruption committee and it should include traditional rulers and Civil Society Organizations.
- We recommend that the appointment of key public officers should be subjected to public debate.
- The legislature should effectively play its role not just as a law making body but as a watch dog on the activities of the executive arm.

Gender and Human Rights

Creating a balance in gender and human rights is an issue requiring urgent attention therefore;
- All stakeholders must join hands in promoting awareness campaigns against gender bias.
- All traditional practices that discriminates against women should be abolished.
- Deltans should be educated on their fundamental rights.
- Cases of Indiscriminate arrest, detention and abuse of citizens should be visited by the government. The state Judiciary should also visit the cases of innocent prisoners and those whose term have expired yet they are still in prison.

ICT

We agree that youths in the state are backward when it comes to ICT. Therefore we recommend;
- Computer education be included in primary and secondary school curriculum.
- Those digital centers be established in all local government areas of the state.
- That the activities of Project E-Delta be reviewed and upgraded to reach out to the grassroot. And should be adequately monitored and manned by the right professionals.

General

We the young people of Delta State recommend the following;
1. The establishment of a Youth Task Force to help in the implementing monitoring and evaluation of the 3-Point Agenda.
2. That the state create a special website for the ministry of youths and upload all relevant documents so young Deltans the world over can access them. We also recommend that the same be done to other ministries.
3. The state implement a zero gas flaring policy and kick against unhealthy method of oil-exploration in the region.










MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIQUE DRAFTING COMMITTEE

Isikwenu Oghenefego-Chairperson
Osakwe C. Wisdom-Secretary
Aigbe O. Samson-Member
Nwibe Ikechukwu David-Member
Eseoghene Dinah Iboribo-Member
Charles Ugbome-Member
Ochem Chidi-Member
Rume Thompson-Member
Okonta Emeka Okelum-Member
Maxwell Ogaga-Member
David Enomah-Member

Reviewed and Edited By Timothy Ogene-Local Organizing Committee Chairman for Delta Youth Summit 2008

February 19, 2008 | 10:30 AM Comments  0 comments
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DELTA YOUTH SUMMIT 2008 REPORT
Related to country: Nigeria
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The Delta Youth Summit 2008 was organized by the Delta Change Network (DCN) in partnership with the Youth Network on Population and Development (NYNETHA) Delta state chapter. The summit, which was a two-day event, held on the 18th and 19th of January, 2008. It was indeed a good way to start the year for young Deltans who are professionals in different fields of Endeavour.

The summit which focused on the 3-point agenda of the present Governor of Delta state, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the UN Millennium Development Goals and the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS). It was very inspiring to young Deltans from different parts of the Country and even in Diaspora attending the summit.

THE SUMMIT DAY 1
The program started at 9.00am with registration of participants. At about 12noon, the opening ceremony started with an opening prayer said by Mr. Nwibe Ikechukwu and the second stanza of the national anthem sung, led by Mr.Charles Ugbome.
The master of ceremony, Mr. Ogaga Maxwell introduced members of the high table with the Honourable Commissioner, Directorate of Youth Development, Rev. (Mrs.) Omatsola Williams who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ika Chris. Other members of the high table were Rev. Dr. Godfrey Ndukownyeanwuli, Mr. Aghogu Joseph, Mr. Charles Jiduwah Mr. James Omokiti and Mr. Washington Dick.

Mr. Ochem Chidi and Mr. Charles Jiduwah gave a brief history of the Delta Change Network (DCN) and why the Delta Youth Summit was organized.
The Coordinator of CiSHAN, Rev. Dr. Godfrey Ndukownyeanwuli Delta State chapter, gave a keynote address in which he gave a brief background of the HIV/AIDS pandermic enjoining youth-led organizations to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He expressed his excitement being in such a gathering put together by young people, calling on the government to pay more attention on harnessing the potentials of these youths towards the development of the state.
Mr. James Omokiti, who represented the NYNETHA Coodinator, welcomed the participants promising they would have a profitable time without any regrets.

The Acting PS, Mr. Ika Chris who represented the Honourable Commissioner, Directorate of Youth Development declared the Summit open. In her speech the Commissioner expressed her appreciation to members of the Youth Network on Population and Development in Nigeria (NYNETHA) for the great strides that they have made towards the realization of one of the 3-point agenda of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta state in Human Capital Development. She also expressed her appreciation for young Deltans who singularly sponsored themselves from all over the nation to attend the Youth Summit.
Mr. James Omokiti gave the vote of thanks after which participants were split into eight working groups which discussed various issues;

- The Impact of Oil Exploration on our Environment
- Strengthening Infrastructure in Delta State for Development
- Youth Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other preventable Diseases
- Resolving the Unemployment Question through Entrepreneurship
- The role of Youths in Restoring Lasting Peace in Delta state
- The role of Good Governance in accelerating Development
- Gender and Human Rights; creating a balance and
- Bridging the Digital Divide in Delta state; challenges and solutions

After the working group session a representative of each group presented a report of their group’s discussion.
A break was taken at 3.00pm which lasted 30minutes after which Paper Presentations on three topics were taken; two of which had a panel session immediately after the paper. The topics were:
- Politics and Good Governance by Mr. James Omokiti and the panelists were, Maxwell Ogaga as chairman and Rabiu Umaru, Charles Ugbome and Emoefe Kohwo as members.
- ICT for Development by Mr. Washington Dick and the panelists were, Edmund Oshioke as chairman and Asheshe Bome, Ajagbe Gbemi and Sonia Odije as members.

Mr. Charles Ugbome did an exhibition of the New Nigeria Club after which Mr. Rume Thompson presented a paper on Human Capital Development, a Key to National Transformation.

The first day’s activities came to an end with a closing prayer after which participants departed at about 6.30pm.

DAY 2

The second day of the Delta Youth Summit came with a lot of expectations in the air, being the last day of the summit. Participants came with a mindset to gather as much information as possible till they have another of such opportunity.
The day’s activities started at 10.00am with an opening prayer after which Mr. Emmanuel Gabari; the master of ceremony led the participants on a recap of the previous day’s activities.

Mr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi started the day’s business with a plenary session on the UN Millennium Development Goals, the 3-point agenda of the new Government of Delta state and Youth Participation.
He through this session drew the attention of Young Deltans to the situation on ground, calling for their active participation in the development of Delta state. This session was followed by a questions and answer session during which recommendations were made by participants.

Mr.Gbemi Ajagbe took a presentation on Real issues in the Nigerian Environment.
A break was taken for 15minutes during which a film ‘Slum Survivors’ was shown. At resumption, the panel discussion on the Environment was next on the agenda with Mr. Ochem Chidi chairing the panel and Mr. James Omokiti, Ms. Iheoma Uwaoma, Mr. Victor Ikoli and Mr. Godwin Ikade as members.

After the panel session, workshops were held on three topics:
- Advocacy by Mr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi
- Entrepreneurship by Mr. Edmund Oshioke and
- Politics and Good Governance by Mr. James Omokiti

The first part of the second day came to an end at 2.30pm and participants were expected to resume at 6.00pm for the second part of the second day which was an exhibition/awards night.

The evening session started at 7.00pm with an opening prayer after which the moderator gave out time for participants to meet each other. Participants volunteered to entertain the audience with jokes and songs.
The business of the evening started with Exhibitions as follows:
- Oxfam International Youth Partnerships by Isikwenu Oghenefego
- Youth Network on Population and Development by Omo-Obi Ufuoma Festus
- British Council Youth Works Project by Omokiti James
- PEEDs by Ochem Chidi
- Creating Local Connections- West Africa by Leke and
- Undergraduate Business School
At the end of the exhibitions, ten outstanding young Deltans were recognized for their contributions to sustainable development in different areas form leadership to entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS and a whole lot of other areas.

Mr. Charles Jiduwah gave the vote of thanks which marked the end of the Delta Youth Summit with enough to drink and chew and tie out for social networking.