By Davies Iheamnachor, PORT HARCOURT
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 Ogoni Youth Federation, OYF, have moved to convene a national congress of youths to address issues relating the oil exploration, which has sparked palpable divisions in the area.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, during the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the Congress, the President-General of OYF, Worldwide, Engr. Legborsi Yamaabana, said the congress is urgent in order to address all issues arising from the planned oil resumption.
Yamaabana commended President Bola Tinubu on his efforts in giving attention to reopening oil businesses in the area, but quickly noted that Ogoni stands at a crossroads following the issues surrounding the oil resumption.
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 recognize this development as a significant national conversation, we emphasize 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 NNPCL, noting that such allocation was insufficient compared to the contribution of Ogoni to the economy.
He rather requested that NNPCL as a matter of importance give 500 job slots to youths of the area,
In the interim, the leadership of OYF Worldwide has observed the unnecessary tension and uproar surrounding the reported 40 slots of employment opportunity allocated to Ogoni youths in NNPCL and its subsidiaries, as part of Federal Government confidence-building measure toward the resumption of oil and gas activities in Ogoniland.
“We wish to state clearly that this 40 slots is 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.”
He said following the issues raised that convening of the Ogoni Youth National Congress 2026 has become an urgent necessity, regretting that some individuals were working to truncate the efforts of the Federal Government toward peaceful resumption if oil exploration in the area.
He, however, tasked the committee to amongst other terms of references design an operational framework for the Congress and ensure a Broad-based mobilisation of other youth groups, stakeholders for the Congress that would be done both physically and virtually.
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