NADIS: Student Leadership Pathway to Political, Community Development – Stakeholders

Stakeholders have identified purposeful student leadership as the pathway to birthing politial and community development in the Niger Delta.

The resolution was reached at the second mega and elective convention of the National Association of Delta Ijaw Students, NADIS.

The two day event themed “The Role of Student Leadership in Political and Community Development”, held at Ogulagha community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State from Friday May 3 to Saturday May 5, 2024.

The event attracted thousands of students within and outside Delta State and a plethora of resource persons led by the national spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Amb. Princewill Binebai.

Presenting his keynote address, Binebai emphasized the need for sustained acquisition of formal education across Ijaw nation, a move he describes as an ‘awareness window’ for Ijaws to fight for what is due them politically and otherwise.

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Binebai stressed that unless a deliberate and intentional approach to obtain the needed formal education for awareness, Ijaw nation will continue to suffer oppression and marginalisation from the Nigerian state.

He further charged students to partake in leadership roles to prepare themselves for bugger political assignments.

Also speaking, the Executive Assistant on Student Affairs to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Dr. Ezekiel Oghenetega admonished the attendees on the need to peserve in followership.

According to Dr. Oghenetega, every good leader was once a good follower, and as such, future leaders must learn to follow the current circle of leadership to be ready to step into leadership roles in the future.

On her part, Chief Peculiar Braboke charged female students to not wallow behind in the race to occupy leadership roles, whether as students or individuals of society.

Aside from the symposium, the convention featured cultural displays, born fire procession, love boat, and a medical outreach.

The high point of the convention was the election and swearing of a new NADIS National Executive Council led by Aneh Johnson.