The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on university students and other eligible young Nigerians to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and take a more active role in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, 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 by the Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolomi, said the initiative was aimed at deepening civic awareness and promoting responsible participation in the democratic process, particularly among young people in the Niger Delta.
He said the campaign had already been taken to several universities across the region, including Rivers State University, noting that university communities were strategic to the initiative because of their large population of young Nigerians.
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According to him, despite their numerical strength, many young people remain disengaged from elections and other forms of civic participation, prompting the commission to take voter education directly to campuses.
Ogbuku urged eligible students to register, obtain their PVCs and make informed choices during elections. He also said deserving students would receive educational support materials under the programme.
The convener of the initiative, 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 amplify their voices on issues affecting university communities.
Nzidee urged students to use their collective civic influence to demand greater attention to challenges including accommodation, quality of education, student-lecturer relations and the affordability of education.
He said young Nigerians should move beyond being passive observers of governance and become active participants in decision-making, stressing that their involvement was necessary to ensure that issues affecting them received adequate 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 other educational support materials.
He further urged the students to remain informed, register to vote, collect their PVCs and participate responsibly in 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 sensitisation programme to the institution.
Okeudo said voter education was essential to helping Nigerians understand their civic responsibilities and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
He also urged beneficiaries of the educational support programme to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the reputation of the university.
