The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified its campaign to promote youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, urging university students and other eligible young Nigerians to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and actively participate in elections.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the call during a voter education and civic sensitisation programme tagged “Project New Nigeria and Voter Education” held at Abia State University, Uturu.
Ogbuku, who was represented at the event by the Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolomi, said the initiative aimed to strengthen civic awareness and encourage responsible participation in the democratic process, particularly among young people across the Niger Delta region.
He explained that the voter education campaign had already reached several universities in the region, including Rivers State University, noting that university communities were important to the initiative because they have a large population of young Nigerians.
According to him, despite their significant numerical strength, many young people remain disengaged from elections and other forms of civic participation.
He said this informed the commission’s decision to take voter education directly to university campuses. Ogbuku urged eligible students to register as voters, obtain their PVCs and make informed decisions during elections. He also disclosed that deserving students would receive educational support materials as part of the programme.
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The convener of the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility, Mr Samuel Nzidee, said Project New Nigeria was conceived by young Nigerians to engage students and provide them with a platform to amplify their voices on issues affecting university communities.
Nzidee said students could exercise considerable civic influence through participation in elections and encouraged them to use their collective voice to demand greater attention to issues including student accommodation, the quality of education, respectful relationships between students and lecturers, and the affordability of education.
He urged young Nigerians to move beyond being passive observers of governance and become more actively involved in decision-making, stressing that their participation was important to ensuring that issues affecting young people received greater attention.
As part of the intervention, Nzidee disclosed that tuition fees would be provided for 200 returning students, while other beneficiaries would receive laptops, tablets and additional educational support materials. He also encouraged students to remain informed about civic issues, register to vote, collect their PVCs and participate responsibly in upcoming elections.
The Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Dick Uduma, commended the NDDC for bringing the voter education and civic sensitisation programme to the institution.
Okeudo said voter education was essential to helping citizens understand their civic responsibilities and participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s democratic process. He further urged beneficiaries of the educational support programme to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the reputation of Abia State University.
