The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has appealed to aggrieved members of Delta Ijaw Youth Movement, DIYM, to suspend their planned protest and avail themselves with the open door policy of this administration, to find solutions to their grievances.
The EAC in a swift reaction to trending reports on social media platforms wherein the group disclosed a planned protest to Government House Asaba, said in a statement on Saturday that their demands will be critically looked into and alleged injustice or marginalization will be addressed without engaging in any form of protest, saying that the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, have listening ears and always willing to engage youths in any meaningful dialogue.
Oghenesivbe further stated that members of Delta Ijaw Youth Movement like other youth groups in the state are partners in progress with the governor and this administration, which is why, allegations of marginalization or neglect must be well articulated to reflect government agenda for the youths such that the governor or government is able to clearly identify injustice or imbalance in the distribution of political appointments, spread in youth empowerment programmes or any other grey area of unfair treatment.
He noted that the YAGEP and STEP entrepreneurial and other socioeconomic and/or empowerment programmes of this administration have so far captured youths in the three senatorial districts and any claim of neglect as alleged by the group in their press statement will be critically examined and resolved provided that such demands seek to correct visible measure of unfairness, partiality, nepotism and other unholy actions and inactions on the part of the governor or government.
Okowa’s EAC further posited that the governor has been practically fair and just in his actions and inactions relating to spread of development, political appointments, youths empowerment, skills acquisitions and vocational training as well as other programmes targeted at improving the wellbeing and socio-economic advancement of all Deltans.
“I urge the vibrant members of Delta Ijaw Youth Movement to hold their peace and reach out to the governor through their leaders who are senior government officials and stakeholders in this administration.
“Fairness, equity, rule of law and justice have been substantially deployed by the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, in his good governance strides, which is why, youths in the state are proud of their governor because he has been listening to them and he will continue to partner with youths domiciled in the three senatorial districts in the governance process.
“Protest is not the first step, it is the last process after all attempt for dialogue must have failed. The governor met with the youths on Thursday and Friday in an attempt to find ways and means of involving them substantially in governance, going forward.
“DIYM members should explore dialogue and I know that the governor is willing to meet with them. Therefore, there is no need for protest.
“I am pretty sure that senior government officials including the governor are already looking at the possibility of harmonising youths requests and no senatorial district shall be left out in the ongoing reforms.
“The governor has made it abundantly clear that henceforth our youths shall be well integrated in governance process as critical stakeholders and his decision is Sacrosanct” Oghenesivbe assured.
