The Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye, has received the Heart of Gold Award from a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Eve Afrique Empowerment Initiative.
Receiving the Eve Afrique Redball Award, meant to celebrate outstanding Niger-Delta indigenes who have contributed to the development of the Niger Delta region, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Hon. Iyaye expressed delight at being among the distinguished individuals who were found worthy of the honour.
He said: “I am deeply honoured to be one of the recipients of the Heart of Gold Award. I am humbled to have been found worthy of this prestigious recognition. This acknowledgement will encourage me to continue contributing to the development of our region and the nation.”
Iyaye urged the people of the Niger Delta region to take charge of their destiny and develop a blueprint for community development.
He highlighted the Niger Delta’s untapped potential and investment opportunities in various sectors, emphasising the need to attract local and foreign investors to stimulate economic growth and create a brighter future for the region.
The Executive Director thanked Eve Afrique for bringing together stakeholders to discuss the region’s progress. He pledged continued support and partnership with Eve Afrique empowerment initiatives, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to the region’s development.
President of the Eve Afrique Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Ivy Etokakpan, emphasised the importance of celebrating outstanding Niger Deltans and encouraging shared responsibility for regional development. She expressed gratitude to the awardees and guests, acknowledging the power of collective effort in driving progress.
She stated: “The 2025 Red Ball is not merely an event; it is a rallying call for collective action and change. This year, our theme, “Restoring the Pride of the Niger Delta”, calls us to remember and to reclaim. It is a call to return to the values, identity, and collective strength that define us as a people.”
This came even as the commission has urged youths of the region to explore opportunities in advanced technology, emphasising the role of technology in human capital development.
Speaking during the 2025 International Youth Day in Akure, Ondo State, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, noted that the event, with the theme: “Youth Advancing Multilateral Corporation through Technology and Partnership.”, was timely and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He stated: “Advancements in Information Technology, particularly in novel areas like Artificial Intelligence, have paved the way for multiple career paths and cross-sector collaborations. The importance of unity in achieving human capital development cannot be overemphasised. An engaged youth becomes productive, not only for himself, but for his family and the community at large.
In his remarks, one of the panellists, Barrister Rotimi Olorunfemi, highlighted the potential of technology to provide solutions to address global challenges and emphasised the need for partnership between the government and private sector to harness meaningful gains.
The Former Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Dayo Awude explained the critical role of information technology in driving sustainable development and fostering youth-led initiatives across the region. He noted: “Both technology and partnerships can unlock opportunities for the Niger Delta youths. While technology gives us speed, partnerships and collaborative efforts would give us reach”.
The programme featured over 300 youth participants.
In a related development, the NDDC collaborated with the Instinctively Her’s Foundation in Port Harcourt to celebrate youth empowerment and innovation, to mark International Youth Day 2025.
The Director of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Women Affairs, Mrs. Ahunna Imoni, emphasised the importance of unlocking youth potential for societal growth and mentioned plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence Laboratory for the youth of the Niger Delta region’s youth. She further highlighted projects like talent hunts, the Niger Delta Sports Festival, skills acquisition programs, and scholarships as key youth-focused efforts by the NDDC.
A keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Mrs. Edughom Hanson, underscored the pivotal role of youth as key stakeholders and catalysts for positive transformation in the Niger Delta’s journey toward sustainable development. She noted: “Young people constitute approximately 60% of the region’s population, positioning them as powerful agents of change. Niger Delta is one of Africa’s most resource-rich areas, boasting abundant oil and gas reserves, vibrant biodiversity, and a rich cultural heritage. Stakeholders must fulfil their unique responsibilities in turning the region’s youth potential into tangible progress.”
