I AM MOST QUALIFIED FOR THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL YOUTH LEADER OF THE PEOPLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY – UBONG DAVID

Since my declaration about three days ago to seek election for the Office of National Youth Leader of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party at the upcoming National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, I have been inundated with series of enquiries through messages and calls if I am serious with my aspiration. My simple and apt response to such enquiries is capital YES.

YES in the sense that I have found myself as the most qualified aspirant for the Office of the National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party with the following reasons:

1. I am a Card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party since 2001 till date and have participated at several party activities at the national, state, local government and ward level and I am more committed to the policies, programs and objectives of the party.

2. I have pioneered and lead several youth-based organizations and initiatives from the grassroot to the national level to give young people a platform to have a voice in governance and participate actively in the democratic processes. Those efforts have yielded positive results. As at today, one of such platform, the PDP FAN CLUB is interfacing with the different key stakeholders of the party to give young people the necessary support in promoting and positively project the activities and programs of the party and woo Nigerians to support the PDP as the only national party in the country ahead of 2019 general election.

3. I am a youth in age and spirit and have the capacity, competence and capability to lead the over 60% of Nigerian youth population and students who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party. Gone are the days where old men superintend on the Office of the youth leaders and dominated youth activities to the detriment of young people. Under my leadership as the National Youth Leader of our party, I will ensure that youth programs and activities is given a top priority and is meant specifically for youth, and ensure that their interest is protected at all times.

4. The National Zoning Committee of our party led by His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi in their wisdom has thought it wise to zone the Office of National Youth Leader of our Party to the Southern part of the country with me in mind, to launch an aggressive campaign to woo Nigerian youth to the party. This is a task that is very dear to my heart which I am ready and well-equipped to accomplish.
With the above listed reasons, I am most qualified and favoured for the Office of National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Constitutionally, the mandate of the Office of National Youth Leader are: (1) To mobilize the youth for the attainment of the objectives of the Party; (2) To initiate and implement strategic programmes and policies aimed at endearing the Party to the Nigerian youth; and (3) To coordinate the activities of the Zonal and State Youth Leaders of our Party. These are tasks that I am committed to achieve and exceed. With my experience in youth-led organizations, I will partner with key stakeholders of our great party to bridge the digital divide and use online platforms for knowledge sharing and networking of politically engaged youth.

In the word of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and I quote, “Politics is the game of youth. Neither Alexander the Great nor Julius Caesar had gray hair, wrinkled brow, honours before they set out to see and conquer.” His assertion was corroborated with the submission of Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General that “Young men and women are passive beneficiaries, but equal and effective partners. Their aspirations extend far beyond jobs; youth also want a seat at the table – a real voice in shaping the policies that shape their lives. We need to listen to and engage with young people. We need to established more and stronger mechanisms for youth participation. The time has come to integrate youth voices more meaningfully into decision-making processes at all levels. Let us support the young people of our world so they grow into adults who raise yet more generations of productive and powerful leaders.” I lend my voice with theirs that young people must be integrated into the mainstream of democratic governance.

At Kaduna State inauguration of PDP FAN CLUB

At PDP National Youth Conference in Abuja

Under my leadership, I will interface with youth-led CSOs and development partners to initiate programs that will promote youth democratic values, leadership skills, teamwork, volunteerism, civic engagement and active political participation for the overall interest of our great party and the larger Nigeria society.

I will bring new ideas and innovations into youth political leadership of our party for the benefits of our members and young Nigerians who are anxiously waiting to join a rebranded Peoples Democratic Party. It is on this premise that today, I re-echo my voice again in support of my earlier declaration to seek election into the Office of National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party. I am more than convinced that in a free and fair election which is the hallmark of our party, I am a candidate to beat at the upcoming National Convention for the Office of National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.

As earlier submitted in my declaration, I have commenced consultation with key stakeholders of the party to support my aspiration and will strengthen it in the coming days ahead of the National Convention which is coming up on August 17, 2016. I am more passionate and committed to this cause driven by my capacity, competency and capability which is the bedrock of my aspiration for the exalted Office of National Youth Leader of our great Party. This is an era of a New Direction, let’s Move Forward Together.

Amb. Ubong David
NYL 2016

BRIEF PROFILE OF UBONG DAVID

Ubong David hails from Odio in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is a youth leader, social media activist, online promoter, public commentator on contemporary issues, blogger, social entrepreneur and development advocate. He has been involved in youth activities from early years and pioneered in some of them. He was the founder of Rebranding Nigeria Youth Initiative and served as National President. In 2011, he co-founded Nigeria Youth Leaders and Entrepreneurial Initiative, an online advocacy organization and served as National Secretary. 

He is the founding National President of Eket Senatorial District Youth Coalition and Director of Administration, Youth for Change and Social Development Initiative. Ubong is also the Executive Director of Eagle Builders Foundation, an NGO established to respond to the need of young people especially the less privileged. He serve in the Board of Akwa Ibom Youth Chamber.

On the business front, Ubong is the CEO/President of Black Heritage Publication and Publisher of online newspapers and blogs: Insight Nigeria, The Patriot Newspaper and PDP TODAY Magazine. He is presently the National Secretary of PDP FAN CLUB Worldwide, an affiliate organization at the National Secretariat of the party with Chapters in the 36 States and FCT. He was also serving as State Coordinator, Mass Movwment for Goodluck 2015. Ubong is a strong advocate and a vocal voice on 30% Affirmative Action for youth in political mainstreaming. He believes that leadership should wear a human face and those who aspire for political offices should use their position to influence society positively.

Ubong is a Peace Ambassador of the Commonwealth Youth Council; Goodwill Ambassador for Youth Development by SPMUDA International Pakistan and National Coalition Party of Canada (NCPC) Political Campaign Youth Ambassador for Africa. He is also a member of Human Rights Action Network (HRAN) and member, International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).