Niger Delta Students’ Union Government (NIDSUG), under the Obada Akpomiemie-led administration, has just concluded its one-day rally, which marked the official declaration of their position for the forthcoming presidential election.
The event, which was attended by over 2,000 Niger Delta students from various institutions across the federation, started with a three-hour rally which kicked-off from Stadium Road in Port-Harcourt, River State capital.
The students then rallied from there to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office in Aba Road, before proceeding to the president’s wife’s house behind the Government House, and lastly to Senator Dakuku’s resident on Peter Odili Road.
Dressed in white T-shirts with the inscription “The Role of Students in Consolidating the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” written on it, the students moved from one point to the other, singing the praise of the president.
The rally, which was preceded by a conference, was attended by past presidents of the union, as well as thousands of students from the state.
While speaking on the theme of the conference, the National President of the union, Obada, stated that they were supporting President Jonathan not because he is from their region, but because the president stands for peace and development.
While appreciating the students for the support, the chairman of the event, Commissioner, Ministry of Ijaw Affairs, Dr Felix Tuodolo, who was represented by Mr Victor Otobo, warned them to desist from any form of electoral flaws, as their blood is not worth any politician’s ambition.
“To maintain the peace we are experiencing now, we must conduct ourselves well during this election,” he said.
The pioneer president of NIDSUG, Genesis Idikibiebuma, in his remarks also highlighted the developmental policies and programmes of President Goodluck Jonathan, which he said had upgraded the status of the country before the international community.
Delivering a lecture on ‘The Welfare of Niger Deltans,’ Tonbara Michael Yalah, said that he was not being biased by saying that the president takes into cognisance that youths ought to be employed, and that he is working towards making this dream a reality, and has the interest of Nigerians at heart.
Speaking on what spurred the programme, Obada noted that the event was not sponsored by any person, but that the executives took up the project to enlighten Niger Delta students.
“Niger Delta students have unanimously adopted President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their sole candidate for the forthcoming election, not because he is from our region, but because his performance speaks for him,” he explained.
Emmanuel Ahanonu
(A serving corps member in Enugu)