Hon. Ekos Jude Akpokabayen Engages Udu Youth Leaders Amid Community Medical Outreach

Udu, Delta State – May 1, 2025

In a bold and compassionate move to connect with the grassroots and foster meaningful change, Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen on May 1, 2025, met with youth leaders from various wards in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State. The meeting took place ahead of a collaborative community-focused medical outreach program organized in partnership with Udu Local Government, scheduled for May 2 and 3, 2025. The initiative is designed to provide essential healthcare services to the elderly and children. This dual-purpose visit underscored Hon. Akpokabayen’s deep commitment to both the welfare of the most vulnerable and the empowerment of youth, who remain the backbone of any thriving society.

The medical outreach, beginning May 2 and continuing through May 3, is expected to be well-attended and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accessible healthcare at the grassroots level. With Udu Local Government and Hon. Akpokabayen working hand in hand, the program aims to deliver vital services such as medical checkups, free medications, nutritional guidance, and health education. Many elderly citizens, mothers, and children are expected to benefit. Hon. Akpokabayen, while actively supervising the initiative, also engaged warmly with members of the community, lending a personal and humane touch to the effort.

Listening to the Youth: A Crucial Step Toward Development
In the midst of outreach preparations, Hon. Akpokabayen held a focused engagement with youth leaders from various wards. Though informal, the meeting was deeply impactful, offering young people a rare opportunity to speak directly to a respected leader about their experiences, frustrations, and aspirations.

The youth leaders voiced concern over persistent issues affecting their communities. Chief among them was unemployment, a long-standing challenge that has hindered progress for many educated and skilled young individuals. Many lamented the lack of access to job opportunities or startup capital for small enterprises.

Equally troubling was the absence of vocational training centers or skills development programs. In an era where technical proficiency is critical for self-sufficiency and innovation, the lack of such infrastructure leaves many youths uncompetitive and dependent. Additional concerns raised included poor road conditions, inadequate drainage systems, erratic electricity supply, and the absence of recreational and communal spaces.

Furthermore, the youth leaders lamented their exclusion from decision-making processes. Despite being the largest demographic group and future leaders, many felt ignored when it comes to shaping policies and projects that directly affect them. This sense of exclusion, they argued, weakens trust in governance and limits innovation and civic participation.

A Leader Who Listens and Understands
Moved by the sincerity and urgency in the youths’ contributions, Hon. Akpokabayen praised them for their courage and clarity. He acknowledged the weight of their concerns and emphasized that sustainable progress can only come when leaders genuinely listen to the people—especially the youth.

He stressed that his engagement was not mere political formality, but a sincere effort to understand their reality and build bridges to long-term solutions. “We cannot build a better future if we do not include our youth in today’s plans,” he said. “Our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are partners of today.”

Commitment to Practical Solutions
Hon. Akpokabayen unveiled several actionable steps in response to the concerns raised. First, he expressed a strong interest in collaborating with local professionals, NGOs, and Udu Local Government to initiate short-term vocational training workshops in trades such as tailoring, carpentry, digital literacy, and small-scale agriculture. These programs, he emphasized, could be delivered with minimal resources and yield significant impact.

He also proposed the launch of mentorship programs where experienced individuals in business, academia, and industry guide young people on life and career paths. These mentors would serve as role models and accountability partners, helping participants develop focus, discipline, and long-term vision.

Regarding infrastructure and recreational needs, Hon. Akpokabayen encouraged the community to consider public-private partnerships and grassroots-driven initiatives. He noted that waiting solely on government intervention might delay progress, but that when communities mobilize collectively, projects like minor road repairs, children’s playgrounds, and neighborhood libraries could be accomplished faster.

Youth Participation in Governance
A significant portion of the dialogue centered on civic and political participation. Hon. Akpokabayen urged the youth to be more actively involved in shaping policies that affect their future. He encouraged attendance at town hall meetings, participation in local projects, and long-term preparation for leadership roles.

He further emphasized the power of unity: “Divided voices achieve little,” he stated. “But when youth unite across wards and interests, their voice becomes too strong to ignore.” He urged them to build coalitions, align around shared objectives, and push collectively for community development and accountability.

The Impact of Outreach Programs
The upcoming Udu Medical Outreach, organized in collaboration with Udu Local Government, is expected to be a resounding success. Already, many elderly residents have expressed joy and anticipation, noting that this will be the first time in years they’ve received any form of medical attention. Mothers welcome the opportunity to get free medication for their children, and community health volunteers will be on hand to provide education on hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care.

This outreach is more than just a medical exercise, it is an act of dignity restoration. It sends a clear message that the people of Udu are not forgotten and that their health and well-being matter.

A Vision for Udu’s Future
Hon. Akpokabayen’s visit was far more than a routine political stop, it was a profound demonstration of what leadership should be: accessible, empathetic, responsive, and action-driven. His willingness to listen attentively to young voices, validate their concerns, and offer realistic solutions set a powerful example in a political landscape often marred by disconnect and neglect.

The joint medical outreach program, in partnership with Udu Local Government, reinforced the power of community-centered development. By blending healthcare delivery with civic engagement and youth empowerment, Hon. Akpokabayen is modeling a multidimensional approach to leadership that prioritizes people over politics.

For the youth of Udu, this engagement was a spark of hope and a reminder that their voices matter. If the conversations begun on May 1 evolve into real projects and sustained partnerships, that day will be remembered as a turning point in Udu’s journey toward youth-driven development and inclusive growth.

Operation Uprooting the Seeds of Discord in Africa by Africans

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Africa, the cradle of civilization, blessed with an abundance of natural resources, vibrant cultures and a resilient people, remains shackled by the chains of artificial borders, ethnic rivalries, neocolonial puppetry and corruption. These chains are not natural to the continent, they were sown and watered by centuries of colonial conquest and sustained by post-independence complicity. It is time for a radical, pan-African operation; Operation Uprooting the Seeds of Discord in Africa by Africans to reclaim our dignity, sovereignty and future.

Historical Seeds of Division: Colonial Cartography as a Weapon
The so-called Scramble for Africa, formalized in the 1884 –1885 Berlin Conference, was nothing less than a calculated mutilation of African identity. European powers without African representation carved up the continent along arbitrary lines, dividing ethnic groups and lumping incompatible communities together. The Igbo of Nigeria, the Ashanti of Ghana, the Tutsi and Hutu of Rwanda, the Zulu and Xhosa of South Africa, all were manipulated into manufactured rivalries and fragile national structures.

As Professor PLO Lumumba rightly asserts, “Africa is the only continent where borders were drawn in foreign capitals. And we wonder why we don’t have unity.” The colonizers sowed discord to divide and conquer and even after independence, many African leaders maintained the colonial architecture for their personal gain.

Modern-Day Betrayals: African Elites and the Puppet Strings of the West
Post-independence Africa saw a new breed of leaders, many of them more loyal to their former colonial masters than to their own people. Through neo-colonial tactics such as foreign debt, military aid tied to political allegiance and control of extractive industries, Western powers have continued to manipulate African governments.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, a rising voice of African resistance, recently declared: “We must stop begging the West for help. Our salvation lies in African solidarity, not in foreign charity.” His bold stance echoes the legacy of Thomas Sankara, who called the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank instruments of economic warfare. It is this courageous defiance of foreign control that must form the nucleus of Operation Uprooting.

Internal Division: The Ethnic and Political Time Bomb

Nowhere are the seeds of discord more dangerous than in the toxic brew of ethnicity and politics. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, stands as a tragic case study. Instead of building a national identity, the ruling elite continues to exploit tribal sentiments to win elections, appoint cronies and suppress dissent. This ethnicization of governance is not unique to Nigeria, it plagues Kenya, South Sudan, Cameroon, Ethiopia and beyond.

Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, once declared: “We cannot continue to blame colonialism for everything. We must take responsibility for our own divisions.” Rwanda, which suffered the 1994 genocide, a horror catalyzed by colonial ethnic labeling is now a model of unity through deliberate nation-building. Under Kagame, ethnic identity cards were abolished and national unity became policy. The lesson: ethnic discord can be uprooted, but only through bold, honest leadership.

Neocolonial Economics: Resources Without Power
Africa possesses 30% of the world’s mineral resources, 60% of arable land and a demographic boom of young minds. Yet it remains home to 33 of the world’s 46 least developed countries, according to the UN. Why? Because Africa exports raw materials and imports finished goods, perpetuating dependency. French control over West African currency through the CFA Franc is a colonial relic that still drains African economies.

As President Patrice Talon of Benin noted: “It is time we took back control of our own monetary policies. France cannot dictate our economic future.” Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have taken steps to kick out French troops and review foreign mining contracts. These are not acts of rebellion, they are acts of liberation.

Media and Education: Minds as Battlegrounds
One of the most insidious forms of colonial legacy is control over education and media. African students still learn more about Shakespeare than Chinua Achebe, more about Napoleon than Shaka Zulu. African children grow up admiring Western heroes and demonizing African resistance fighters.

As Lumumba states, “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” The battle must be waged in classrooms and newsrooms. Operation Uprooting demands a complete overhaul of education systems to center African history, philosophy and innovation. Our languages, our heroes and our truths must be taught with pride.

Military Sovereignty: Ending Dependency on Foreign Guns
The African Union’s standby military force is a noble idea sabotaged by a lack of funding and willpower. When conflicts erupt; whether in Mozambique, the Sahel, or Congo, African governments still run to France, the U.S., or the UN. This is unacceptable. We need robust, African-led security coalitions that respond to African crises with African solutions.

Kagame again emphasizes this necessity: “No one will fight for you. If you are not ready to defend your sovereignty, you do not deserve it.” Rwanda’s disciplined and professional military has proven its capacity in peacekeeping missions across the continent. We must replicate this model.

Reclaiming Pan-Africanism: Unity Is the Antidote
The dream of Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Sekou Touré and Gaddafi was a united Africa; economically, militarily and diplomatically. That dream has been buried under selfish leadership and artificial divisions. But it can be resurrected.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a step in the right direction, potentially creating a $3.4 trillion market. However, free trade means little without political will, infrastructure and mutual trust.

We need a new African political class, a generation not bought with Western scholarships or IMF packages but trained in the spirit of Sankara, Nkrumah and Biko. As Lumumba puts it: “Africa must think, speak and act for herself.”

Concrete Steps Forward: What Operation Uprooting Must Achieve
Abolish colonial-era borders: Encourage regional integration and gradual dismantling of artificial lines.

Pan-African military collaboration: Fund and operationalize the African Standby Force.

End French economic control: Dismantle the CFA franc and create a continental monetary policy.

Rewrite education: Center African voices, histories and inventions in all curricula.

Control resources: Audit and renegotiate all foreign mining and oil contracts.

Media reform: Fund African-centered media to counter Eurocentric propaganda.

Leadership renewal: Enforce term limits, reject sit-tight dictatorships and encourage diaspora participation in governance.

Furtherance: Africa Must Choose Its Destiny
Africa has a choice: continue as a fractured continent manipulated by foreign interests, or rise as a united, sovereign powerhouse. Operation Uprooting the Seeds of Discord is not just a slogan: it is an ideological war against dependency, division and delusion.

The time for rhetoric is over.
The time for action is now.

Let me end with the words of Thomas Sankara: “We must dare to invent the future.” Africa must dare to imagine a future free from the ghosts of colonialism, the chains of corruption and the lies of inferiority. That future must be shaped by Africans, for Africans, and with Africans united, unapologetic and unbreakable.

Workers as the Backbone of a Nation: Nigeria’s Labour Force Must Lead the Rescue Mission

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

“All great nations are built by workers who do their best for themselves and the country.” These compelling words by Otunba Dr. Segun Showunmi remind us of a timeless truth: no nation rises above the dedication, sweat and courage of its workers. As Nigeria commemorates Workers’ Day, it is not enough to chant praises or post hollow tributes online. The Nigerian worker must now awaken to a more pressing, revolutionary responsibility, to be the moral and political vanguard in rescuing a country teetering on the brink of collapse.

For decades, Nigerian workers have toiled under unimaginable economic pressures, living from paycheck to paycheck, many without dignity, fair wages, or basic social security. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), once potent forces of resistance against tyranny and injustice, have become shadows of their former selves and crippled by political compromise, internal corruption and systemic intimidation. It is time for a rebirth.

Nigeria: A Country in Reverse Gear
Nigeria, once touted as the “Giant of Africa,” has become a failed promise. Despite having the largest economy in Africa by GDP size, over 133 million Nigerians are classified as multi-dimensionally poor (National Bureau of Statistics, 2023). Unemployment stands at 33.3%, and inflation continues to crush the purchasing power of an already overburdened citizenry. The current minimum wage of ₦30,000 (about $20 monthly) is not only a moral embarrassment, but a statistical absurdity in the face of skyrocketing fuel, electricity, food, rent and healthcare costs.

The recent calls for a ₦70,000 minimum wage by labour unions have been largely ignored by over 20 state governments, despite the Nigerian Constitution’s directive on equitable welfare. Workers are being enslaved in their own country while politicians feast.

Yet, in the face of this adversity, Nigerian workers must remember: they are not powerless. They are the makers of nations. They are the unseen hands that build cities, schools, roads and factories. They are the intellectuals, the civil servants, the farmers, the teachers, the doctors, the engineers. They are more than voters, they are a force of transformation.

Labour Must Become a Political Weapon
To rescue Nigeria, the working class must reawaken their political consciousness. The time has come for Nigerian labour to evolve beyond protests and strikes into full electoral participation. Workers must become the builders not only of infrastructure but of democracy itself. They must demand policies, shape leadership and hold power accountable.

Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary Burkinabè leader who transformed Burkina Faso in four short years, famously said: “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness… the courage to turn your back on the old formulas.” Nigerian workers must embrace such boldness. Voting every four years and returning to silence is no longer sufficient. A deliberate, organized movement of workers must be forged to disrupt the current cycle of kleptocracy and mediocrity.

Workers as Nation Builders: Historical Truths
History offers proof that great nations were built by empowered labour. In the United States, the New Deal reforms of the 1930s, which rescued America from the Great Depression, were largely driven by union pressure and workers’ demands. In South Africa, COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) was pivotal in fighting apartheid alongside the ANC. In Ghana, the Trades Union Congress played a key role in resisting colonial rule.

What about Nigeria? Our own past glows with examples: the nationwide strikes led by Michael Imoudu in the 1940s energized the nationalist movement. Pa Hassan Sunmonu and Adams Oshiomhole were once symbols of principled resistance. Sadly, today’s labour leadership, rather than mobilize for systemic change, often appears co-opted by the same ruling elites that perpetuate oppression.

The Struggle of Our Heroes Past Must Not Be in Vain
The Nigerian national anthem reminds us: “The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.” But what do we make of that line in a country where pensions are unpaid, workers are retrenched for unionism and salaries are swallowed by inflation? If we are to honor our heroes, then we must finish the battle they began.

Ken Saro-Wiwa, the slain Niger Delta environmental activist, once said: “The Nigerian nation is at war with its people.” Today, that war continues, not with guns and tanks, but with poverty, corruption and misgovernance. Nigerian workers are under siege. It is time to fight back, not with violence, but with unity, organisation and bold political engagement.

As Amílcar Cabral of Guinea-Bissau asserted, “Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.” Nigeria’s problems are rooted in a corrupt elite who have hijacked every arm of governance; executive, legislative and even labour. The fight for a new Nigeria will be hard, but it is a fight worth waging.

Reclaiming the Soul of Nigeria through Workers’ Power
Imagine if every teacher refused to teach until state governments invested 25% of their budgets into education. Imagine if all health workers grounded the hospitals until every Nigerian had access to basic healthcare. Imagine if the NLC and TUC backed credible worker-friendly candidates and mobilized 20 million votes in the 2027 elections. Imagine if we had a working-class party, not as a fringe movement, but as a national force built from the ground up.

The 2023 elections showed that a hunger for change exists among Nigerians. Yet, the political establishment manipulated the process with impunity. The working class must therefore not only vote but guard their vote, mobilize their communities and demand electronic transparency and judicial accountability.

What Must Be Done?
Revamp Labour Leadership: Current union leaders must be held accountable. The rank-and-file should demand transparency and replace docile leaders with visionary fighters.

Form a Worker-Centric Political Front: A credible, pan-Nigerian platform must emerge from the working class. Not another ethnically hijacked party, but one with ideology, focus and inclusivity.

Invest in Civic Education: Workers must understand their rights, the Constitution and how policy affects them. Knowledge is power.

Support Economic Sovereignty: Workers must pressure the government to invest in local production, revive industries and end dependence on imported goods.

Resist Divide-and-Rule Tactics: Ethnic and religious differences must not be used to weaken worker unity. The oppressor thrives on division.

In the Words of Giants
To conclude, let us borrow from the wisdom of Nelson Mandela: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity; it is an act of justice.” Nigerian workers must now pursue that justice, not beg for it. Martin Luther King Jr. once declared: “The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.” Let the Nigerian labour movement rise again, this time not just as a protest group, but as a nation-saving force.

Happy Workers’ Day to all Nigerian workers, may your courage light the path to a new Nigeria.