Harriet Anetor
Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), a non-partisan pressure group formed to champion the fight for the betterment of the Niger Delta youth at the weekend officially inaugurated its national president, Comrade Godwin Ikogho to pilot the affairs of the group after two years of the sudden death of its former president, late prince Ajulisan Akumagba on March 2nd, 2013.
The ceremony which took place at the PTI Conference Center Effurun, Delta State was well attended by prominent Niger Delta youths and leaders drawn from the Niger Delta Region.
In his address, Comrade Ikogho from Isoko nationality and 7th National President of NDYM expressed appreciation to God for making his investiture a reality and also thanked all the members of the National Executive Council of NDYM for trusting and believing in his capability to step into the shoes of late Prince Ajulisan Akumagba, as National President, he however assured the group that he will not disappoint them on the confidence reposed on him.
Ikogho promised to operate an open door policy, inclusive and transparent administration where all the members of NDYM would be carried along saying that no man will have monopoly of ideas in his administration and that his regime will be open to constructive criticism with the aim of moving NDYM to a greater height.
Speaking on the formation, the National President disclosed that NDYM was founded sometime 1998 in Delta state by the conglomeration of concerned South- South leaders in the Niger Delta region with the aim of correcting all obvious and overt criminal injustices done to their people, to champion the struggle against the long years of criminal neglect and marginalization of the collective interest of Niger Delta Region and their people by successive Nigeria governments and the Multi-National Oil companies operating in the region.
Earlier, the new National President assured the NDYM executives that they should call on him whenever they want him. He also solicited the co-operation and collective support from members while assuring them of his social, political and economic contact and connections to move NDYM forward for the benefit of all.
Ikogho said he was very happy with the trend of the group lamented the brutal murder of late Prince Ajulisan Akumagba saying that his death was a great loss to NDYM, the entire region and the country in general. He described late prince Akumagba as a bridge builder, peace maker, charismatic and a transparent leader who set the template for the economic emancipation of the youths adding that he shall forever remain green in their memory as he prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Comrade Godwin Ikogho further promised that he and his National Executive members shall keep the flag of NDYM flying to ensure the realization of its dreams, aspirations and visions for the youths.
