By Kelvin Ohoror, Queen Oruremu & Dorcas Owhefere
A leading aspirant for the presidency of the Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA), Nigeria Ogheneruonano Emmanuel, has unveiled a four-point development agenda aimed at strengthening the assembly, promoting youth empowerment and addressing the challenges confronting Isoko communities across Delta and Bayelsa states.
He presented his vision during the youth manifestos night held at Freedom House, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, where he outlined strategic interface, consolidation, integration and empowerment as the pillars of his proposed administration.
According to him, his ambition is to build an inclusive and purposeful youth organisation that would remain committed to the ideological principles of the founding fathers while responding to the contemporary needs of Isoko youths.
Speaking on strategic interface, Emmanuel pledged to maintain regular consultation with the founding fathers of the assembly, stressing that decisions concerning the organisation would benefit from their experience and guidance.
On consolidation, he promised to sustain the achievements of the outgoing INYA president, particularly the reported securing of Presidential Amnesty Scholarship slots for Isoko youths, describing it as an achievement that deserved continuity.
Addressing the issue of integration, he identified the developmental challenges confronting Isoko-Ame communities in Delta State and Okugbe Isoko communities in Bayelsa State, noting that their political representation, economic opportunities and infrastructural development required greater attention.
He specifically mentioned Igbuku, Ibrede, Onogbokor and Umuti communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, alleging that the communities had experienced inadequate government presence, particularly in road construction and other essential infrastructure.
He also expressed concern that none of the communities had produced a commissioner or government appointee at the state or local government level since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Emmanuel promised that, if elected, he would organise an Isoko-Ame and Okugbe Isoko summit within his two-year tenure to bring stakeholders together and develop strategies for addressing the political and economic challenges confronting the communities.
On Empowerment, he affirmed that his administration would prioritise vocational and digital skills acquisition programmes to prepare Isoko youths for emerging opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven society.
He added that partnerships with relevant government agencies and professionals across various fields would be explored to provide practical training and promote youth self-reliance.
The aspirant maintained that constructive advocacy remained essential to the growth of Isoko nation, pledging to uphold the ideological ideals of the assembly’s founding fathers through purposeful engagement and inclusive leadership.
Nigeria Ogheneruonano Emmanuel holds National Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications in Office Technology and Management from Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, now Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Delta State University, Abraka, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Management and Foundations at the same institution.
He is a member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
