Project New Nigeria has taken its voter education campaign to a university in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with its convener, Samuel Kaley Nzidee, urging young people across the Niger Delta to actively participate in the democratic process and use their votes to demand better governance.
Project New Nigeria Takes Voter Education Campaign To Uyo Varsity
Project New Nigeria has called on Nigerian youths to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process as part of efforts to promote responsible civic engagement among young people.
The appeal came during a voter education and sensitisation programme at the University of Uyo, where 200 students received scholarships and tablet devices through a partnership between Project New Nigeria, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility Initiative.
Convener of Project New Nigeria, Samuel Kaley Nzidee, said the initiative is designed to mobilise young people across the Niger Delta to participate actively in the democratic process and use their votes to demand better governance.
“Across the Niger Delta, in partnership with the NDDC, we are going around educating the students on the importance of voting and the power they have when they vote and when we come together. We will use our votes to request for a better future. We will use our votes to demand a seat at the table. We will use our votes to demand that the university is run better and in a more proper way.”
He said the empowerment programme was designed to demonstrate the impact of citizen participation in governance.
“The Project New Nigeria, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission, will be paying the tuition of 200 students at the University of Uyo. We will also be giving out tablets to first-year students so that they can also be part of this process.”
Representing the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Commission’s Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolone, described the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen democratic participation among young people.
He said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the Commission’s commitment to youth empowerment and transformational development across the Niger Delta.
“To our young people gathered here today, you are the architects of the New Nigeria we all seek. Your energy, your brilliance and your voice will determine the direction our nation takes. But for your voice to be heard, you must take the simple but powerful step. Register to vote. Also ensure you collect your PVC. Without the PVC, you cannot exercise your civic rights.”
Olone highlighted several interventions undertaken by the Commission under its current leadership, including overseas postgraduate scholarships, free medical outreach programmes, educational support, entrepreneurship training and youth empowerment initiatives.
Popular content creator Sabinus said the empowerment initiative was designed to encourage greater civic participation among young people.
“While we are giving back to the students, we are still using that as an opportunity to tell them to get their PVCs because without PVC, we can’t speak out in one voice.”
Beneficiaries described the intervention as timely and encouraging. Ekaette Ransom said receiving the tablet would support her academic work, while Abasifreke Etim described it as the first gift he had received since gaining admission into the University of Uyo.
The organisers said the Project New Nigeria campaign has already been taken to universities in Bayelsa and Rivers states and is being expanded across the nine Niger Delta states to promote voter education, encourage greater youth participation in elections and support students through scholarships, digital learning tools and other educational interventions.
