Gov. Okowa Inaugurates First Delta Youths Parliament In Asaba, As Activist Oghale Faults The Selection Process, Calls For Review

Gov. Okowa Inaugurates First Delta Youths Parliament In Asaba, As Activist Oghale Faults The Selection Process, Calls For Review 

Francis Tayor

Asaba____  Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has inaugurated the first Assembly of the State’s Youth Parliament with Dr George Ohwoekvwo and Miss Gloria Obuseh emerging Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

Ohwoekvwo represents Ughelli North I Constituency, while Obuseh represents Ika South constituency as members were drawn from the 29 constituencies in the state.

The governor, represented by his Senior Political Adviser, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon performed the function on Tuesday at the State House of Assembly Complex in Asaba.

Mr. Ohwoekvwo’s emergence as speaker was unanimously adopted following his nomination by the member-elect representing Ika North East Constituency in the youth parliament, Mr Kingsley Bamah.

The speaker’s nomination was seconded by the member representing Warri South II Constituency in the parliament, Mr Oghenetejiri Eminokanju.

In same vein, the nomination of Obuseh as deputy speaker was unanimously adopted by the Parliament following a motion moved by the member representing Ukwuani constituency, Miss Vera Enubianozor, which was seconded by Mr Joshua Kprake, member representing Udu constituency.

Okowa congratulated the parliament and charged them to continue to promote peace and unity across the state and country at large.

But, in a swift reaction, a student leader and popular activist in the state, DIO, Oghale Emeka Rex, has described the selection process as fraudulent.

In a press statement, Rex alleged that the “Delta State Youth Assembly is a misplaced priority,” adding that what played out during the said election was “a show of shame by Delta Lawmakers and the Youths Commissioner, Comr. Ifeanyi Michael Egwunyenga.”

He said: “It is so shameful and pathetic how Delta lawmakers could stoop so low just to hijack the Delta Youths Parliament and turn it to an empowerment program for their loyalists. The Delta State youth parliament which was established by the ministry for youths development about four months ago will not see the light of the day as the whole process has been hijacked, bastardized and politicized.

“It is so unfortunate that after stating that the age bracket for qualification was 18-26years old, we still have youths above 28 years inaugurated as members of the parliament. It’s sad to also note that the foundation process of the supposed youths assembly is faulty and will not hold any water as we the Delta youths will surely revolt against this ungodly act.

“The basis of selection wasn’t on merit rather was given as slot to members of the Delta State House of Assembly after teeming young Deltans has shown interest and participated in the examination and screening process.”

He added: “The Governor of Delta state should as matter of urgency call to order the Hon Commissioner for Youths Development as no one is more Deltan than the other.

“The formation of the youths parliament is in consonance with the United Nations charter on youths development and in pursuant of the resolutions of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in 2005,” adding that with what played out in Delta, the purpose has been defeated.

“We the youths are the voice of the society and as leaders of tomorrow all we need is a strong representation not a puppet or a political stooge. It is high time the appointees of the government and house members understand that politics must not be played in everything; you cannot give us a representative rather we should vote for ourselves who will represent us,” he stated.

According to him, “the Hon Commissioner for youths development has failed the entire youths in Delta State and this shenanigan and purported parliament will not stand.”

Speaking further, he said: “The Hon commissioner and his co-travellers should be called to order by the executive governor; the youths parliament should be reviewed as we demand to see a transparent process and scores of those who participated in the examination.”

Rex said that if the issue is not addressed, “he will mobilise youths in the state that do not have a political godfather to demand for the removal of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development and also create a parallel youth parliament, he stated.”