Project New Nigeria has ramped up efforts to combat youth disengagement from the electoral process by combining civic education with student support initiatives. The organization recently conducted a voter sensitization campaign at the New Site Multipurpose Hall of Niger Delta University (NDU) in Bayelsa State, drawing hundreds of students to activities focused on voter registration, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, and the crucial role of young people in Nigeria's democracy.
Partnership and Alignment with Government Agenda
The event was organized in collaboration with the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Speaking at the event, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, represented by the commission’s Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolone, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s emphasis on youth empowerment, civic responsibility, and inclusive governance under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the commission is adopting a more transformational approach to development and praised the organizers for engaging young people on matters affecting the nation's democratic future.
Call to Action for Youth
Samuel Kaley Nzidee, Founder and Convener of Project New Nigeria, urged students to obtain their PVCs, describing the card as essential for influencing leadership and public policy. He emphasized that the initiative is not politically motivated but seeks to foster civic awareness and encourage active youth participation in governance. Nzidee stressed the interconnection between education and civic participation, arguing that students who receive academic support are better equipped to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.
Scholarships and Incentives
As part of the program, organizers awarded 300 scholarships, including a special scholarship, and distributed 15 iPads to selected students. 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. Beneficiaries such as Josiah Prosper from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Layefa Tare from the Department of Human Anatomy commended the initiative and called for its expansion to other universities.
