Project New Nigeria has intensified efforts to address youth apathy toward the electoral process, taking its voter sensitisation campaign to tertiary institutions with a blend of civic education and student support.
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‎The initiative held an outreach at the New Site Multipurpose Hall of Niger Delta University (NDU) in Bayelsa State recently, where hundreds of students participated in activities centred on voter registration, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and the role of young people in shaping Nigeria’s democratic process.
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‎The programme was organised in partnership with the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
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‎Speaking at the event, Managing Director, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who was represented by the commission’s Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolone, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s focus on youth empowerment, civic responsibility and inclusive governance under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎He said the commission was adopting a more transformational approach to development and commended the organisers for engaging young people on issues that affect the country’s democratic future.
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‎Founder and Convener of Project New Nigeria, Samuel Kaley Nzidee, urged students to obtain their PVCs, describing the card as critical to influencing leadership and public policy. He maintained that the initiative was not politically driven but aimed at promoting civic awareness and encouraging active youth participation in governance.
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‎Nzidee noted that access to education and civic participation are interconnected, stressing that students who are supported academically are better positioned to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.
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‎As part of the programme, the organisers awarded 300 scholarships, including a special scholarship, and distributed 15 iPads to selected students.
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‎Popular comedian, Sabinus, also attended the event, lending his voice to the campaign and encouraging students to take an active role in the country’s electoral process.
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‎Some of the beneficiaries, including Josiah Prosper of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Layefa Tare of the Department of Human Anatomy, commended the initiative and called for its expansion to other universities.