IYC: Pukon Vows To Deliver Effective Leadership For Ijaws If Elected – The Liberator
By Binebai Princewill
A foremost secretary general aspirant for the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide, Rt. Hon. Frank Pukon has vowed that he will deliver effective leadership for Ijaws If elected.
Hon. Pukon made the vow yesterday via a statement issued to newsmen in Warri, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper.
Pukon, a leading Niger aspirant in the quest to represent Ijaw youths worldwide in IYC national hinted our reporter that there are a lot to be done in the revamping of the Ijaw Youth Council.
He said if he is elected as secretary of council, he will work together with other members of the national executive to ensure that the age long issues bedeviling the Ijaw nation is given a critical attention.
Hon. Frank, a known name in the Ijaw struggle for emancipation has served IYC at different capacities, insisted that as a product of council, he is abreast with all issues confronting the Ijaw nation.
Speaking further, unveiling some of the plans he has for the growth and development of the Ijaw nation, Pukon noted that he will work hard to ensure that the act establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is amended to favour the Ijaw nation.
In his words: “The cardinal point of my secretaryship will be to explore all constitutional and legal windows for the NDDC’s act to be amended, as well as to actualize true federalism.
“It is unfair to the Niger Delta and the Ijaw people. Where a parastatal, which has the mandate to represent the vulnerable Niger Deltans, also have Northerners on the board.
“For the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta to leverage her economic woes, a participatory approach needs to be validated by stakeholders. As the Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council, ’my office will partner with the House Committee of NDDC in the National Assembly and the board members for inflow and outflow of capital.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Frank Pukon also spoke on the Local Content Act of 2011, stressing that it was not commensurate. He decried the lackadaisical attitude and flagrant disregard of the multinational oil companies for not corroborating the act, which stipulates to build the capacity of vendors as well as the development of the indigenous people’s potential.
Pukon asserted that with the leadership positions he has held over the years both in IYC, community leadership, political positions, involvement in the Niger Delta struggle for self identity over the years makes him feel so confident and qualified for the office of secretary, Worldwide Ijaw Youth Council.
He said over the years he has equipped himself for the task ahead, noting that now is the said time take over leadership of council.
He particularly appealed to Ijaw youths worldwide to give him the mandate as he will surprise them with uncommon leadership together with his exco members.
