The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as regional stakeholders, has called on Nigerian youths, particularly those in the Niger Delta, to embrace digital technology as a transformative tool to improve their skills and contribute to national development.
This call was a key resolution of the International Youth Day celebration for Delta youth held on Wednesday at Hotel Agba Sol, Oleh, Delta.
Organized by the NDDC, the event sought to honor and recognize young innovators who have created impactful digital solutions in the region.
With the theme “Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, the program highlighted the critical role of young people in harnessing digital tools to drive sustainable development.
According to the NDDC management, the initiative aimed to empower youth with digital skills, provide a platform to showcase innovations and foster partnerships that support youth-driven digital solutions.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, represented by Comrade Michael Akpobire, urged the youths of the Niger Delta to fully embrace digital technology, emphasizing its capacity to unlock significant opportunities.
He noted that digital tools could transform youth from job seekers to employers of labour, and emphasized that the Internet space, when used productively, can act as a catalyst for sustainable development in the region.
The keynote speakers, Prof. Presly Obukadata, Strategic and Brand Communication Expert, Delta Abraka State University, and Dr. Okpako Ejeata, Dean of Computing, Delta Agbor University, explored the endless opportunities that young people can take advantage of. to contribute to development and improve their well-being.
Professor Obukadata, in his keynote address titled: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” said the topic speaks directly to one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation. A reflection on Nigeria's economic journey over the past few decades reveals that our over-reliance on the status quo has left many youth vulnerable and disconnected from sustainable development.
According to him, “we have often made theoretical commitments without translating them into viable changes.” In the presentation, he explored how we can harness Nigeria's abundant resources and our vibrant youth to generate meaningful progress and ensure sustainable growth. “There is a palpable urgency in this conversation. As our youth population grows—dynamic, tech-savvy, and eager for change—we must seize this moment to redefine our economic landscape. We must unlock the potential of our young people to make the 17 SDGs not just goals, but realities.
“The phrase “clicks to progress” encapsulates the transformative potential of digital engagement among young people to drive sustainable development. The digital landscape has fundamentally altered the way young people interact with information, resources and each other.
Specifically, the proliferation of digital technologies enables young people to engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in innovative ways.
Academic research indicates that digital platforms serve as a means for the dissemination of knowledge and as a space for collaboration.
For example, social media can amplify the voices of young people, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose around sustainability issues.
This connectivity allows for the rapid exchange of ideas and best practices, which can lead to collective action and the promotion of sustainable initiatives.
“From a pragmatic point of view, the phrase “clicks to progress” highlights the need for viable pathways that translate online participation into tangible results.
While digital tools provide avenues for awareness and mobilization, they must be complemented with structured opportunities for young people to meaningfully contribute to sustainable development.
Initiatives that reduce the digital divide, such as training programs in digital literacy and technology access, are essential.
“These efforts ensure that all young people, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can harness the power of digital tools to achieve change,” he added.
Corroborating these points, Dr. Ejeata called on Delta youth involved in Google scams to convert their skills and intellect into a more legal and productive engagement by becoming registered ethical hackers, which has longer-lasting rewards and ensures peace of mind.
He noted that fraudulent use of the Internet and digital technology can provide momentary gains that cannot last over time because no matter how smart a criminal thinks he is, the law will one day catch up with him.
He, therefore, urged relevant government, religious and non-governmental organizations to use digital platforms and technology positively for the overall benefit of the nation.