The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has charged youths in the Niger Delta region to leverage modern technology to foster collaborations and partnerships that will boost their human capacity development.

Ogbuku stated this at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organised by the NDDC in collaboration with Ganvic Empowerment Initiative in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

He explained that the programme was focused on collaboration and partnership for youth development. “We are in the age of technology and AI is taking over the place and therefore, we are using this platform to encourage the youth to leverage on the current trend to advance their course of being partners in development, where they can benefit from current innovative ideas, latest technology, so that they are not left behind, as part of the commission's quota in promoting the capacities of youths in the Niger delta region "

Ogbuku noted that the ongoing all-encompassing youth empowerment programme in the region was further achieved with meaningful support from the state governments, as the NDDC, as an interventionist agency, could not do it alone.

He stated: "We have always liaised with state governments in carrying out such programmes, by also requesting them to nominate and furnish us with the categories of people in their areas of interest, such as people living with disabilities as beneficiaries"

Ogbuku enjoined youths to be hardworking and proactive in their various endeavours.

The NDDC Director, Women and Culture Unit of the Youths Directorate, Mrs Ahunna Imoni, said the International Youth Day, which is being organised globally to celebrate youth creativity and potentials, was a further attestation of a renewed commitment by the current board of NDDC towards youth advancement.

She urged the youths to develop their skills in various ways to meet the present-day reality.

A Resource Person for the programme, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, eulogised the NDDC for its initiative in sponsoring the programme, which served as an eye opener, adding that the event would assist in transforming youths in the region.

•PHOTO: From Right; One of the Resource Persons, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, followed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on NDDC & BRACED Commission, Apostle Samuel Ekah; the NDDC Director, Women and Culture Unit of the Youths Directorate, Mrs. Ahunna Imoni, and the Akwa Ibom State office Director, NDDC, Engr. Evong M. Evong, during the 2025 International Youth Day Celebration in Akwa Ibom State