The youths of oil-rich Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State have demanded 500 job slots from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited as part of the planned resumption of oil exploration in the area.
This figure is against the already released 40 slots by the company.
Also, the youths on the platform of the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) have moved to convene a national congress of youths to address issues related to oil exploration, which has sparked palpable divisions in the area.
Speaking in Port Harcourt at the weekend during the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the congress, the President-General of OYF Worldwide, Legborsi Yamaabana, said the congress would address all issues arising from the planned resumption of oil production.
Yamaabana commended President Bola Tinubu on his efforts to reopen oil businesses in the area, but quickly noted that Ogoni stands at a crossroads amid issues surrounding the resumption of oil operations.
He said: “The Ogoni nation stands at a critical crossroads in its history. We acknowledge the renewed political attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), particularly regarding the proposed resumption of oil and gas exploration in Ogoniland after more than three decades of suspension.
“While we recognise this development as a significant national conversation, we emphasise that any engagement concerning Ogoniland must be anchored on the principles of environmental justice, equitable benefit-sharing, and the protection of the dignity, rights, and future of the Ogoni people, especially our youth, who remain the custodians of tomorrow.
“The Ogoni struggle is not merely historical; it is living, evolving, and central to the future of sustainable development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.”
He called for calm over the 40-job opportunity given to the area by the NNPC, noting that such an allocation was insufficient compared to Ogoni’s contribution to the economy.
He instead requested that NNPCL, as a matter of importance, allocate 500 job slots to youths in the area.
In the interim, the leadership of OYF Worldwide has observed the unnecessary tension and uproar surrounding the reported 40 employment slots allocated to Ogoni youths at NNPCL and its subsidiaries, as part of the federal government’s confidence-building measure toward the resumption of oil and gas activities in Ogoniland.
“We wish to state clearly that these 40 slots are paltry and insignificant given the scale of our sacrifice; and as such, it should not become a source of internal rancour, division, or friction among our people.
“We strongly appeal to all Ogoni political, traditional, and community leaders to sheath their swords, maintain calm, and refrain from unnecessary squabbles over crumbs.
“Without pre-empting the sovereign deliberations of the upcoming congress, let it be noted that Ogoni youth will not settle for tokenism.
“At the upcoming congress, we shall formally demand a minimum of 500 direct employment opportunities within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries for qualified Ogoni youths, who have been economically sidelined and left inactive throughout this 33-year stalemate.”
Blessing Ibunge
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