Niger Delta Students Decry IOCs’ Neglect on Education Empowerment

•Urged to shun thuggery in Bayelsa, Imo polls

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Niger Delta students under the aegis of Niger Delta Student Union Government (NIDSUG), have decried alleged neglect by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other Multinationals operating in the region.

The students who spoke through their president, Scott Ogunseri, at a conference yesterday in Port Harcourt, appealed to the leadership of IOCs and other multinationals to prioritise the welfare of Niger Delta students by implementing policies and programmes that will benefit the students and in extension, their various communities.

Speaking at the press conference titled: “Total neglect of the students community by International Oil Companies, Multinationals in our region”, Ogunseri urged the IOCs and the multinationals to review their educational plans in the region, stressing that “It is unfortunate that these international oil companies have blatantly forsaken their corporate Social responsibilities”.

According to the students: “we also request a review of the educational programmes and other beneficial programmes for the host communities within the Niger Delta atmosphere.

“Again, we ask the IOCs to be more careful about their exploration and mining activities in order to save tne people of Niger Delta from the hazards of environmental degradation and pollution.

“We all know what is happening to our environment, our parents are not able to go to farm again, it’s affecting us badly. We also know about the Ogoni cleanup that is going on and we have other communities that needs to cleanup too”.

While considering sponsoring students in diaspora, Ogunseri pleaded that “International Oil Companies should not only prioritise the interests and welfare of Niger Delta Diaspora students, but also, the overall welfare of home-based students.

“In pursuance of our people-oriented projects and programmes, we shall be executing welfare and human capacity building programs in the coming days and we urge the IOCs to key into this initiatives for the general interests of Niger Delta students”.

They further appealed to the state Governors of the nine Niger Delta states to show solidarity and support to the students by supporting the programme and policies of the NIDSUG.

Also speaking on the forthcoming elections in Bayelsa and Imo states, Ogunseri advised the students in the various states to avoid used as thugs to cause electoral crisis during the polls.

He said, “My interest as a national president is to beg you, vote and not fight. If they give you money to go and fight, collect it, eat it and don’t fight. Is not about the election, is about the next generation.

“Niger Delta students in Bayelsa and Imo states, is not about election, is about the next generation. So, lets cast our votes for that candidate you feel has the interest of the students and the youths, which is our primary constituency”, Ogunseri advised.