NDDC backs youth civic engagement initiative, aligns with Renewed Hope Agenda

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged its support for Project New Nigeria, a civic sensitisation campaign aimed at empowering citizens and promoting civic responsibility.

At the launch event held at the University of Port Harcourt, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes youth empowerment, inclusive governance, and restoring trust in democratic institutions.

Represented by Deputy Director Mrs. Chioma Nwakwue, Ogbuku noted that the initiative also reflects the NDDC’s own shift toward a transformational development mandate focused on sustainable community impact.

He praised the project as timely and strategic, underscoring that strengthening democratic participation among youth is essential for national progress.

The NDDC, he affirmed, stands with efforts that foster civic responsibility and empower future leaders.

In his remarks, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, urged young people to recognize their power and actively engage with democratic institutions.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Owunari Georgewill also welcomed the positive involvement of youth in advocating for inclusive governance.

Project New Nigeria Convener, Mr. Samuel Nzidee, earlier commended the NDDC for its commitment to transforming the Niger Delta and called for broader stakeholder partnership in advancing regional development.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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