NDDC Pledges Youth Empowerment, Promotion Of Cultural Heritage

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has made a commitment to youth empowerment and cultural celebration, emphasising the significance of celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development.

Speaking on the commission’s support for music and culture at the inaugural Niger Delta Cultural Music Festival, known as ‘NIDCUM Fest’, in Port Harcourt, the NDDC managing director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the event as a convergence of culture, music and development.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the commission’s director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, spoke on the theme: “Empowering Youth and Celebrating Culture.”

The NDDC boss stated that NIDCUM Fest was more than just a cultural extravaganza, noting that it was a manifestation of the commission’s unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta’s future.

He said: “It is a platform where our differences become a source of strength, and our unity is celebrated through the universal language of music.

“This sentiment underpins the festival’s core mission of fostering appreciation and understanding among the region’s diverse population.”

The NDDC boss, who made it clear that NIDCUM Fest was not merely a celebration but a commitment to ensure that traditional music and art forms were passed down to future generations, urged elders of the region to share their wisdom and encouraged youths to connect with their cultural roots.

In his welcome address, the facilitator of NIDCUM Fest, Asu Ekiye, said: “NIDCUM is a platform where we, Niger Deltans, can celebrate our cultural heritage. It is also a crucial step in preserving and embracing the culture that has shaped us into who we are today as a people.”