Indigenes of the Niger Delta region have been enjoined to see every obstacle as an opportunity to push policies that protects the people, empowers communities and secures the future.
The convener, Niger Delta people’s movement NDPM and the new Canaan Environment Development Organisation NCEDO, Mr Ejiro Ineneji stated this during the organisation’s 3rd Annual General Meeting AGM and Gala night 2024, with the theme – A United and Sustainable Niger Delta in the Face of Adversities.
Mr. Ineneji said the gathering was to reaffirm the shared vision of a thriving and harmonious Niger Delta as a region capable of standing as a beacon of hope, resilience and progress, noting that the adversities faced in the region, including environmental degradation, economic inequalities or governance challenges, required a collective action.
He stressed the need to advocate for accountable environmental stewardship, economic empowerment and climate resilience, as well as embrace the principal of inclusivity, as a way of sustaining the region amid challenges.
Mr. Ineneji called for stakeholders engagement especially in collaborating with government, private sector actors and international organisations, community empowerment, environmental preservation as well as inspiring the youths, in order to ensure the Niger Delta Region thrived inspite of it’s challenges.
Declaring the AGM open, the chairman of the AGM planning committee, Comrade Perebo Koroye said to remain relevant and impactful in the ever evolving environment, there was need to reassess the existing strategies and structures to align with the demands of the future.
The General Manager of the Newmap Delta state, Mr. Ben Nwokocha, was among dignitaries that gave goodwill messages at the event.
There were lectures by various speakers including the Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, HRM Obukowho whiskey, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Youth monitoring and Development, Amb. Elvis Akpobi, Retired Permanent Secretary in Delta state and Certified life Coach, Dr Florence Ofovwe and the Assistant General Manager, Television Services, Delta Broadcasting service DBS Asaba, Onome Iyaruwe, who harped on the role of mainstream Media in advancing a sustainable region and empowerment.
The Dinner featured among other things, awards to deserving personalities.