NDDC’S FLAGRANT CORRUPTION AND RECENT DECEIT: A BETRAYAL OF NIGER DELTA YOUTHS.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has moved from simple incompetence to outright corruption. The recent scandal centers on the 10,000 youth internship scheme, in which beneficiaries were supposedly chosen and compensated without any published shortlist.This isn’t merely a case of poor management; it is a blatant act of deceit, a calculated effort to steal funds intended for regional progress. The NDDC’s Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his management team are diverting funds to support their personal political ambitions before the 2027 general elections.The NDDC, under its present leadership, has shown itself to be a sham. Their actions clearly demonstrate that they prioritize lining their pockets over regional development and the empowerment of Niger Delta youths. The actions of the NDDC are filled with deceit and incompetence. This is one too many absurdities. It’s time for Managing Director Dr. Ogbuku and the complete board to face repercussions for their mismanagement of the youth internship scheme. Their behavior is an insult to Niger Delta youths who have been patiently awaiting opportunities. This isn’t the first instance of the NDDC being involved in scandal. Recently, they also claimed to have trained 364 young farmers for the LIFE-ND Agric Project, yet there’s no substantiating evidence. No images or video proof. No beneficiaries have come forward to express gratitude, appearing to be just another tactic to misappropriate and steal funds.Many of our Federal and State government ministries, agencies, and parastatals like the NDDC have shown themselves to be agencies more focused on sustaining corruption and deception than on truly empowering Nigerian youths. Their behavior clearly indicates that they are more like Yahoo boys than authentic leaders.Nigerian leaders and agencies have a pattern of deceiving youths and citizens, often without consequences, due to a flawed system that fosters corruption. The Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) management of the 10,000 youth internship scheme is a clear illustration. Despite applications, announcing deployment and payment to beneficiaries, no shortlisted names were made public, bringing into question the transparency and fairness of the process.This absence of accountability reflects a larger issue in Nigeria, where corruption is widespread and those in leadership frequently act with no fear of repercussions. The country has consistently ranked high in corruption measures, with Transparency International (TI) designating Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries globally.Until the system undergoes reform and transparency, accountability, and the rule of law are maintained, Nigerian youths and citizens will remain easy targets for scams and corruption orchestrated by those in power. The Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN) calls for an immediate inquiry into how the NDDC managed the youth internship program. We demand the removal of NDDC MD Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and all board members for misleading and endangering the future of Niger Delta youths.Enough is enough! The NDDC must be transparent and accountable. Niger Delta youths deserve more. We insist on a complete restructuring of the NDDC’s leadership and a detailed investigation into their actions. We will not accept anything less. The future of Niger Delta youths is on the line, and we will advocate for what is rightfully theirs.