•We appreciate your conduct — EGCDF
•We are ready to collaborate with you —Ukori
In an effort to foster peace as well as achieve a uniform and accelerated development in their kingdom, the executives of Gbaramatu Youths Council (GYC) Worldwide, led by their President, Comr. Christopher E. Wuruyai yesterday visited the Chevron-sponsored Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF).
EGCDF is a tripartite body between the Ijaw communities in Warri South West and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta state, NNPC/ Chevron Joint venture and the Government of Delta State
Speaking at the Foundation’s office in Warri, the GYC President explained that their visit is a fact-finding mission of sort aimed at clearing the air on key issues that affects communities in the kingdom.
Top on their agenda according to the group’s President, Comr. Christopher Wuruyai, is to finding a way that EGCDF could help in reducing the growing number of unemployment in the Kingdom with special emphasis on graduates.
The Youth Council also draws the Foundation’s attention to the issue of the static nature of funding of the Foundation’s scholarship scheme at some level, even with the price hike of commodities in the market and exchange rate that have doubled the usual amount of the foreign scholarship. This, he said has raised serious concern and challenge on the part of the beneficiaries.
Still on scholarship, the GYC delegation also request to know if the scholarship scheme currently funded by the EGCDF covers foreign Ph.D degree.
Other issues raised by the GYC delegation include the need for the Foundation to partner with the Youth Council in driving needed development to the Kingdom.
GYC further called for conscious wealth creation by the Foundation with the resources at its disposal so as to avoid total dependence on the multinationals and government in creating employment in the kingdom and facilitate the socioeconomic independence and self-sustainability of communities.
Responding to the GYC delegates, the Chairman of EGCDF, Comr. Jude Ukori appreciated the effort of the Youth Council in deeming it fit to pay the Council a courtesy visit.
He further praised the GYC leadership for drawing the Foundation’s attention to issues bothering on them for the collective benefit of the kingdom youths.
The EGCDF boss remarked that the visit is a sign of responsible stewardship for their collective growth. He then expressed his joy on the need to support and partner with the Youth Council.
Responding to the specific issues as raised by the Christopher Wuruyai led delegation, the Foundation Chairman stated that on the issue of employment, the Foundation use to write to the various communities to forward names of eligible candidates when certain employment opportunities arise.
He however, advised that youths should not rely solely on multinationals for employment opportunities as the State and Federal Civil Service can also complement in this aspect.
On the issue of scholarship as raised by the GYC delegate, the EGCDF boss admitted that indeed the secondary school level scholarship funding has been static for long, but the tertiary level has been increased.
EGCDF also disclosed that plans are ongoing to increase the funds for that of the foreign masters degree programme.
He however, pointed out that there might be a need to reduce the numbers of foreign scholarship as it has become imperative to increase its fund to meet the need of the beneficiaries.
This according to him, is because the foreign masters scholarship scheme is solely funded by the Foundation through its statutory annual budget and increasing its fund will amount to a reduction of the numbers of annual beneficiaries for its effective sustainability.
In a related development, the EGCDF Secretary, Comr. Sheriff Mulade encouraged the youths to be steadfast in advocating peace and unity in the kingdom and the need for all to live in peace with one another and also with their neighboring kingdoms.
The EGCDF Secretary also commended the GYC leadership “for their insight on fundamental issues militating against our collective growth as a people.”
Mulade disclosed further that on the issue regarding wealth creation, “the Foundation is already working out plans on establishing the EGCDF Micro Finance Bank for the collective benefit of our various Kingdoms.”
He therefore charged the youth leadership to see the need to advocate against social vices that are synonymous in sapping the will of progress in the Kingdom.
While speaking with GbaramatuVoice after the meeting, the GYC President thanked the EGCDF executive for giving them a listening ear while expressing hope that the meeting will definitely bear positive fruit with the kind and insightful words of the Foundation Chairman.
Led to this all-important meeting by the GYC President, Comr. Christopher Wuruyai includes; the Vice President, Comr. Godwin W. Febaide; Secretary, Comr. Governor Godbless and Financial Secretary, Comr. Ebipade Timiyan.
On the part of the EGCDF were the Chairman, Comr. Jude Ebitimi Ukori; the Secretary, Comr. Sheriff Mulade; Public Relations Officer, Elder Reuben Tonjoh, hosted the GYC courtesy visit.
Also in attendance were Mr. Fredrick Igere, Rev. Emmanuel Imeleye, and Engr. Collins Febaide among other representatives of the Egbema-Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF).
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
