YENAGOA โ Various Youth groups across Bayelsa State have commended the interventions and initiatives associated with High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, saying the interventions have contributed significantly to curbing cult-related activities, restoring relative peace across communities, reducing illegal bunkering and discouraging drug abuse and other social vices among young people.
The groups said the initiatives have also created meaningful opportunities for teeming youths, enabling many to acquire valuable skills and competencies in the oil and gas industry, security, technical services and other fields of endeavour, thereby providing alternatives to crime and other unproductive activities.
The groups were reacting to the recent statement by the General Manager, Operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited ,Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi in Abuja, acknowledging the broad-based impact of the companyโs interventions and support for Youth groups and communities in Bayelsa State.
In separate reactions, the groups expressed appreciation to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and the entire Management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for what they described as their demonstrated commitment to peace, wellbeing, empowerment and development of people and communities in Bayelsa State.
The groups said the statement by the General Manager, Operations, was a welcome confirmation of the fact that different categories of Youth stakeholders in Bayelsa State have benefited from initiatives and opportunities associated with the leadership and magnanimity of Tompolo and the management of Tantita.
According to the groups, the acknowledgement is significant because it demonstrates that the benefits of the various interventions have extended beyond a particular group, organisation or interest, reaching different segments of the people.
The leader of Men on Ground Youth, Commander Ebimo Goodluck, said the organisation was proud to identify itself as one of the beneficiaries of the support and opportunities made available under the benevolence of Tompolo and Tantita.
โWe acknowledge and appreciate the generosity and commitment of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Tompolo, and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. Our experience has shown that the interventions are capable of making a meaningful difference in the lives of ordinary people when they are sustained and properly expanded,โ the group leader stated.
Similarly, Benikrukru Marine group
led by General Godbless Ogun, described Tompolo as a major stakeholder whose interventions have continued to create opportunities and sustainable peace in Bayelsa State.
The group appealed for the sustainability of existing programmes and the expansion of opportunities to accommodate more people, women, community-based organisations and other deserving stakeholders.
The group, Ijaw Women Deserves Better Initiative led by Miss Bomiegha Rachael Lagos further called for greater inclusion of women in future empowerment and employment initiatives, stressing that women constitute an important component of the social and economic development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta.
โWe commend the vision behind these interventions and appeal that they should not only be sustained but expanded. There are many qualified and hardworking women who can contribute meaningfully to peace if given the opportunity. Women should therefore be deliberately incorporated into subsequent phases of empowerment, training, employment and other interventions,โ Bomiegha said.
Another community based youth stakeholder, Comrade Paghaebi Amos, under the leadership of Young Dhall Grow leaders of Bayelsa, also confirmed that members of the group had benefited from the magnanimity of Tompolo and the opportunities associated with Tantita.
The group said the intervention had demonstrated the importance of inclusive community engagement in tackling street menace and urged the relevant stakeholders to maintain the momentum.
According to the group, sustaining and expanding the interventions would further strengthen grassroots participation for peaceful coexistence, promote economic empowerment and deepen the positive relationship between critical stakeholders and communities in Bayelsa State.
The groups also commended the General Manager, Operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi for openly acknowledging the beneficiaries of the various interventions and for recognising the contributions of different groups to the development and stability of the region and especially Bayelsa State.
They said such acknowledgement would encourage more stakeholders to support programmes that promote peace, community development, youth empowerment and economic inclusion.
Another group, Coalition of Youth Stakeholders led by Odede Charles Precious, appealed for the expansion of existing opportunities to cover more people and groups in Bayelsa State and other parts of the Niger Delta.
The group noted that while several beneficiaries had already been reached, there remained a large number of young people and women who were still waiting for opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
โWe appreciate what has been done so far, but we believe that more can still be achieved. Our appeal is for sustainability, expansion and greater inclusion. Let the existing beneficiaries continue to receive support, while new beneficiaries are brought into the programme,โ the group stated.
Across the various reactions, the groups expressed a common position that the interventions should be sustained beyond the present beneficiaries and expanded in scope to accommodate more stakeholders and interest groups.
They particularly urged greater participation of women, noting that empowering women would have a multiplier effect on families and communities.
The groups further called on stakeholders in the Niger Delta to continue supporting initiatives that promote peace, economic empowerment, community development and responsible engagement with local communities.
While expressing their gratitude to Tompolo and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the groups said their appeals were not intended as criticism but as constructive requests for the consolidation and expansion of initiatives that they had personally witnessed and benefited from.
They therefore urged Tompolo and the Tantita management to sustain the momentum and consider widening the scope of existing opportunities so that more people across Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta can benefit.
The groups concluded by reaffirming their appreciation for the interventions and expressed optimism that the existing partnership with stakeholders would continue to produce positive outcomes towards sustainable peace and development for the people and the region.
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