Yenagoa—A presidential aspirant in the upcoming Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) election, Jonathan Lokpobiri has promised to promote unity among Ijaw leaders, and stakeholders, build a global headquarters for the youth organization, and set up a youth development trust fund.
This was contained in his manifesto made available to Mangrovepen.ng on Sunday.
Lokpobiri promised to engage developmental partners such as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), government agencies and multinational companies to train Ijaw youths in different skills.
“Upon our inauguration, we shall undertake a mandatory familiarisation tour to some strategic kingdoms to interact and share our ideas with our kings and other stakeholders to identify with their concerns and shared hopes to broaden our understanding of key issues in the different domains within Ijaw land.
“These, I believe would enable our leadership to make better-informed policies and decisions in our journey ahead.
“We shall establish “The Ijaw Youth Development Trust Fund. This Initiative shall be saddled with the responsibility of identifying vulnerable but talented smart young men and women of Ijaw extraction whose education and skills would be funded by the fund.
“The initiative shall also identify and mobilise talents in sports, entertainment and other relevant social activities, developing their skills and exposing them to greater life opportunities within and beyond the shores of the country.
“The initiative shall also be responsible for coordinating efforts of registering, diagnosing as well as providing medical treatments for some of our most vulnerable, especially the elderly and struggling veterans in our midst through a team of Ijaw medical doctors within the three zones,” he said.
Lokpobiri who expressed readiness to carry any burden for the interest of Ijaw people also pledged to support any friend of the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region.
While stating that the environment is the only natural protective cover Ijaws have, he promised to do everything to protect it through creative endeavors, group unity and unwavering determination.
