As the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, tasked with engaging stakeholders and communities in Ogoniland for the resumption of oil exploration, concludes its engagements, the committee has received commendations from youth groups in the area.
The Ogoni youth groups expressed their support by passing a vote of confidence after a meeting with the Dialogue Committee.
During the meeting, Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, Archbishop Ignatius C.O Kattey (Rtd), emphasized that the purpose of the gathering was to encourage the youth to share ideas that could assist the committee in achieving its goals.
Archbishop Kattey expressed his satisfaction with the peaceful demeanour of the youths, assuring them that their views would be taken into consideration.
He stated: “We invited them to share ideas that could help us recommence oil operations peacefully, and they contributed significantly. They came in peace and will leave in peace.”
“The youths should remain calm. This initiative is for them, not for us. They are the future leaders, while we are nearing the end of our journey.”
“We will succeed. We are confident that the president will listen and consider our demands. He wouldn’t have established a committee only to let us down.”
Comrade Ana-Ana Oswell Nadum, President-General of the Community-Based Youth Presidents of Ogoni, spoke on behalf of other community youth leaders in the four LGAs of Ogoni, affirming their vote of confidence in the Dialogue Committee due to the committee’s approach to the assignment given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“For the first time, community-based youths have been given a chance to contribute to the development of Ogoniland,” he said.
Nadum expressed gratitude to the committee, stating, “We pass a vote of confidence on them because they are sincere and have recognized community-based youths, which is crucial for taking the message home.”
“The Ogoni Dialogue Committee has performed admirably by engaging with community youth leaders, addressing a long-standing communication gap that has hindered progress. No previous committee has functioned as effectively as this one. I commend them for their efforts.”
He assured that, due to the Dialogue Committee’s engagement, the youths are prepared to offer their full support. “We are ready to collaborate with them and have submitted our communiqué outlining our key demands, which we hope will be considered.”
Nadum urged the Dialogue Committee to maintain ongoing communication with them to reach youths across various villages in Ogoniland.
“We will hold meetings in Ken-Khana, Nyo-Khana, Babbe, Eleme, Gokana, and Tai to ensure that the message conveyed here reaches the grassroots. The youth presidents from each village and community play a crucial role in this effort,” he added.
The event concluded with the presentation of memoranda by leaders of various youth groups.
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