The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has called for increased voter awareness and responsible civic participation, emphasising the importance of voter education to equip citizens with the knowledge and understanding required in Nigeria’s democratic process.
NDDC, Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama said that the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the call during a sensitisation programme tagged “Project New Nigeria and Voter Education,” held at the auditorium of the Abia State University, Uturu.
Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director, Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolomi, said the campaign was designed to promote civic awareness and responsible participation among people in the Niger Delta region, starting with the university community.
He noted that the initiative had already been taken to several universities across the region, including Rivers State University, among others, adding that the university community was strategic because of its large young population.
Ogbuku said deserving students would receive educational materials as part of the programme, and urged students to take the sensitisation seriously, particularly ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
He observed that despite the large number of young people in university communities, many were often disengaged from the electoral process, stressing that this informed NDDC’s decision to take the voter education campaign directly to students.
The Managing Director urged eligible citizens to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and make informed choices during elections.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Ndukwe Okeudo, thanked the NDDC for bringing the voter education programme to the institution.
Okeudo, represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor Dick Uduma, noted that voter education was essential to ensure Nigerians understood their civic responsibilities and participated meaningfully in the democratic process.
He said the programme would provide scholarships, laptops, tablets, and other educational materials to many students, urging them to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the institution’s good reputation.
The Convener of the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility Initiative, Mr Samuel Nzidee, explained that Project New Nigeria was an initiative of young Nigerians to engage students and amplify their voices in demanding greater attention to issues affecting university communities.
Nzidee said students had significant civic power through their participation in elections, noting that university communities comprise many young people whose collective participation could contribute meaningfully to the democratic process.
He encouraged the students to use their collective voice to demand greater attention to issues affecting them, including accommodation, the quality of education, respectful engagement between students and lecturers, and affordable education.
According to him, the time had come for young Nigerians to become more actively involved in decision-making and to ensure that their concerns were adequately represented in governance.
He further disclosed that tuition fees would be provided for 200 returning students, while other beneficiaries would receive laptops, tablets and other educational support materials.
Nzidee urged students to respond positively to the call for greater civic participation, stressing the importance of staying informed, registering to vote, collecting their PVCs, and participating responsibly in the forthcoming elections.
