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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
A group, Incorporated Trustees of the Wakirike (Okirika) National Congress (WNC), has called on the Nigerian Army to relinquish its occupation of a crucial skills-acquisition centre established for youth empowerment during the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
David Solomon, Chairman of WNC, stated in a press release in Warri, Delta State, that the Nigerian Army had occupied the facility for over a decade without purpose.
He explained that the centre, located in Ogoloma, was painstakingly secured through the political will, perseverance, and advocacy of well-meaning Wakirike sons and daughters.
Solomon said the facility was not a gift but a result of sustained engagement with the Amaechi-led government, driven by the understanding that equipping youth with skills is vital for economic empowerment.
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He lamented that instead of serving its intended purpose, the facility had been diverted and occupied by the Nigerian Army for over ten years.
This, he argued, had deprived local youths of opportunities that could have transformed their lives, strengthened families, and boosted the economy of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
Solomon condemned the continued occupation, asserting that it directly contradicts federal policies aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship and reducing unemployment.
“This is a national setback,” he declared, adding: “Denying our youths access to vocational training not only fuels unemployment but also hampers entrepreneurship development, drives poverty, and heightens insecurity. When young people are left without viable alternatives, they are vulnerable to crime and activities that undermine our nation’s progress.”
He called for immediate action: “We respectfully demand that the Nigerian Army vacates the Ogoloma Skills Acquisition Centre to allow it serve its original purpose. The Federal and Rivers State Governments must also prioritise the construction of a new skills centre for the Wakirike Ijaw people.”
