Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
A Niger Delta youth group, Niger Delta Youth Congress (N.D.Y.C) has berated President Goodluck Jonathan over the timing, composition, guidelines/framework of the on-going National Conference just as it condemned in very strong terms way and manner
delegates are comporting themselves at the Conference.
Addressing journalists in Warri, Com. Israel Uwejeyan, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Congress ( N.D.Y.C) said that rather than forcing the National Conference down the throat of the people for some selfish reasons, Nigerians want good governance that will come with good and better infrastructures, economic growth, employment
creation, security for lives and properties, adequate power supply amongst others.
Com. Uwejeyan wondered why President Jonathan who claims that he means well for Nigeria and Nigerians proposed that the outcome of the National Conference should not be subjected to a referendum adding that it is a shame to see delegates at the confab make utterances that are allegedly demeaning of their status as elder statesmen and women.
According to him, “Nigerians have indeed watched with keen interest to understand the substance of the National Conference and its impact in changing the economic woes, hunger pervading the land, unemployment, insecurity, endemic corruption, extra judicial killings, epileptic power supply and other myriads of problems that confronts us daily.”
While noting that the policy frame work and guidelines of the Conference has been adjudged to be self serving to the President that does not represent the general interest of Nigerians, the youth group said that the Conference is meant to serve some political interests as well as ample opportunity to continue with the impunity of alleged
reckless stealing from the nations’ treasury.
The youth group added, “a country where so called elder statesmen decide to make utterances that demean and make nonsense the much talked about National Conference, therefore the future of Nigerian youths is indeed hanging in the balance. It is obvious that our future as young people of this great country cannot be anchored on the
shoulders of these individuals believed to be addressing issues that affect us, it is already an effort in futility.”
Responding to a question, Com. Orherime Bakpa, a member of the group faulted the percentage representation given to the youths in the on-going Conference saying if it is true that youths are the future leaders, why were they not given appropriate percentage
representation.
