Think Beyond Oil; George Turnah charges Youth

The Executive Assistant on Public Affairs and Social Orientation to the Bayelsa State Governor, Evang. George Turnah has charged younth of Bayelsa State to think beyond oil in their quest for survival and livelihood.

Turnah gave the charge Friday in his office at the Government House Yenagoa when youth leaders from Ogbia Local Government Area under the auspices of Obhan Emeyal Youth Council (OEYC) paid him a solidarity visit.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant Mr. Kelvin Loveday Egbo, Turnah noted that the over reliance on benefits from crude oil is the reason for the lack of interest in innovation and skills development by Youth of particularly host Communities across the Niger Delta Region.

He enumerated ongoing efforts by the Douye Diri led prosperity administration in enhancing the capacities of young people to be self reliant and self sustaining

Turnah explained that much opportunities abound for youths in the State, particularly in Agriculture, Entertainment, Sports and the Creative Industry

According to him “it would be heartwarming for me to see young leaders within our Clan and indeed across the Niger Delta think beyond oil and gas, and rather refocus your thoughts towards innovation and creativity. In this regards, i charge you all to take full advantage of the many innovative initiatives of the prosperity administration for empowerment of young people as alternative to the much dependence on benefits from crude oil as currently the case across States of the Niger Delta Region.”

Commending the leaders for the peace and security currently being enjoyed across the Obhan Emeyal Clan, Turnah noted that society will be safer and better only if young people could believe more in themselves, look inwards to discover their God given talents and abilities, appreciate the inherent leadership skills and qualities in them, rally round leaders with the right mindset for growth and development, and be ready to contribute meaningfully to society, not being swayed by greed and personal interest.

While reiterating the resolve of the Diri led administration to better the lots of the people, Turnah called for increased support for the administration, noting that youth must imbibe the culture of hard work as well as having high regard and respect for leaders and constituted authorities at all levels.

Thanking the youth leaders for the visit, Mr. Turnah restated his readiness to support and work with the leadership of the group for the overall good, unity, progress and development of the Clan.

Earlier in his remarks, leader of the delegation, Mr. Akiks Olali praised the Governor’s aide for his supportive, mentorship and leadership role in the Clan, stating that the visit was to afford the youth leaders the opportunity to thank him for all God has continued to use him to do for the growth and development of the Obhan Emeyal Clan and Ogbia in general, particularly his mentorship and numerous empowerment initiatives for the youth and women of the Clan.

Mr. Olali used the visit to brief the Executive Assistant on preparations so far on the forthcoming elections into the Executive Council of the umbrella youth body of the Clan, pledging the continued loyalty and support of the youth of the Clan to the prosperity administration of Governor Douye Diri.

The Obhan Emeyal Youth Council is the umbrella body of all youth groups across the thirteen communities of Ogbia Constituency III, popularly referred to as Kolo Creek.