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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Rivers State has intensified its community engagement efforts aimed at addressing the growing challenges of youth restiveness and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The directorate, through a Facebook live programme, brought together grassroots leaders, public policy experts and security stakeholders, to dissect the root causes of these intertwined issues and proffer actionable solutions.
Anchored by Mr. Henry Ayede, the one-hour session encouraged public participation through live comments and questions, generating a robust and interactive exchange.
Mr Obaro Johnson Samuel, NOA’s Senior Programme Officer, linked the crisis to widespread unemployment, environmental degradation, poverty, weak governance and political exclusion.
He emphasised the need for youth empowerment, modular refineries, equitable resource distribution and sustainable development to reverse the tide.
He regretted that illegal oil bunkering reportedly costs Nigeria hundreds of billions in lost revenue annually, while also devastating ecosystems and endangering local livelihoods.
In a region where hope is increasingly scarce, he said the dialogue served as a timely call for renewed investment in education, opportunity and inclusive policymaking.
