Port Harcourt—The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has congratulated Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri on his appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria.
The IYC also thanked President Bola Tinubu for finding the former senator worthy of the role.
This was contained in a statement signed by its President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri via its spokesperson, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill on Monday.
“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide congratulates Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri on his well-deserved appointment as Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil) Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“IYC as critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region and beyond, we want to specially appreciate His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for finding one of the best Niger Delta brains, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri worthy of the appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,” the statement partly read.
The foremost Ijaw Youth body lauded Lokpobiri for his performances in his previous roles in public service and described his appointment as a round peg in a round hole.
It expressed confidence that Lokpobiri will do justice to his new role given his wealth of experience and leadership positions that he has occupied in the country and the Niger Delta region in particular over the years.
The IYC further hailed President Tinubu for heeding the pleas of Niger Deltans to jettison the rumoured plans to scrap the Niger Delta Ministry as well as the redeployment of Abubakar Momoh to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development, describing the move as a welcome development.
The body urged Tinubu to prioritise the development of the Niger Delta region particularly the Ijaw areas as it pledged commitment to work with the federal government to achieve progress in the region.
The statement further reads, “We want to also appreciate His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, President Federal Republic of Nigeria for listening to the voice of Niger Deltans, particularly that of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and others who appealed for the unscrapping of the Niger Delta Ministry.
“The swift response to our appeal shows that President Bola Tinubu is indeed a listening President. We are grateful for the redeployment of Abubakar Momoh to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development. This to us is a welcome development.
“The IYC is also using this medium to congratulate other Ministers from the Niger Delta region which is our primary constituency and all Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has been inaugurated.
“It is our call that all Ministers including President Bola Tinubu should prioritise the rapid development of the Niger Delta region, particularly the Ijaw areas as the council will be ready to engage with them on the way forward as partners of progress in the Niger Delta.
“Finally, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide will continue to engage with critical stakeholders for the growth and development of the Ijaw nation. Council will collaborate with Government agencies that are willing to partner with us for the development of our areas where necessary.”