More than 5,000 youths from Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, under the umbrella of the U3 Forum, Youth Wing, Saturday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Francis Waive and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made during the U3 Youth Wing 2026 Youth Engagement Summit with the theme, "Connecting Youths to Government Initiatives," held at the Emmanuel Uduaghan Hall, Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The motion for the adoption of the APC candidates was moved by the Youth Leader of the U3 Youth Wing, Chief Hope Ejiro, and seconded by the Female Youth Leader, Miss Sandra Akpoguma, and was unanimously adopted by the youths.
The summit attracted top APC leaders and government officials, including Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Francis Waive, the Special Guest, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr.; National Chairman of U3, Chief John Oguma; National Secretary, Hon. Festus Agas Samuel Mariere; National Publicity Secretary of U3 and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon; Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Dr Lucky Avweromre; APC House of Assembly Candidate, Ughelli North Constituency II, Chief Joseph Okoro, APC House of Assembly candidate in Udu, Mr Benjamin Sharta and other party stalwarts.
In his welcome address, Chief Hope Ejiro said the summit was organised to bridge the gap between young people and government while promoting active youth participation in governance and development.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kingsley Akeni said governments at all levels were making significant efforts to create jobs for the youths and improve the lives of citizens through infrastructure development and human capital investment.
He noted that initiatives such as D-CARES, NELFUND, bursary and scholarship programmes had created opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams.
Akeni also stressed that Delta State's alignment with government at the centre, had positioned it to attract greater development opportunities, urging youths to sustain peace and security in their respective communities to facilitate more development across the state.
National Chairman of U3, Olorogun John Oguma, charged the youths to prepare themselves for future leadership responsibilities, describing them as the face of the constituency.
Oguma urged all APC members to work collectively to ensure victory for all candidates of the party in 2027.
He defended the Federal Government's removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy was aimed at revitalising the economy and funding critical infrastructure projects. He cited the completed Ughelli-Asaba Expressway and ongoing various flyover projects across Delta State as evidence of developmental efforts.
Special Guest at the summit, Mr Fred Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr., called on young people to embrace responsible political participation, entrepreneurship and community development while upholding the ideals of unity, discipline and selfless service.
He urged the youths to remain committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the Oborevwori's administration, saying the future of the country depended largely on the character, competence and vision of its younger generation.
Oborevwori Jnr. commended the organisers for creating a platform for youths to network, exchange ideas and build partnerships that would advance peace, prosperity and national development.
Speaking at the summit, Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, described youth development as the central focus of his legislative agenda.
He said his first three years in the Senate had been devoted largely to human capital development through employment opportunities, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship support.
The senator disclosed that his recent appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory had expanded opportunities available to his constituents, particularly in federal employment.
He urged qualified youths to apply for vacancies in federal agencies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and forward their application slips to his office for support.
According to him, many qualified candidates often lose opportunities because they lack political backing, assuring constituents that his office remained open to assist deserving applicants at no cost.
Dafinone said several youths from the constituency had already benefited from his interventions in recruitment exercises conducted by agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force.
The member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Francis Waive said the future of the constituency and the country rested on the capacity, commitment and leadership of the youths.
Waive, who was represented by Chief Bunor Agbomedarho, urged them to remain united and support the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. He noted that Delta State was privileged to have Governor Sheriff Oborevwori providing leadership while President Tinubu continued efforts to reposition the country.
Speaking on behalf of APC House of Assembly candidates in the Federal constituency, Mr Benjamin Sharta commended the organisers for the initiative, saying investments in young people would guarantee a brighter future for the constituency.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to Comrade Fred Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr. in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of youths in the U3 Federal Constituency.
Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Dr Lucky Avweromre, also commended the organisers and encouraged the participants to continue supporting programmes that promote youth empowerment, unity and community development.
Over 5,000 youths from across the three local government areas attended the summit which also featured the presentation of cash grants to some youths to support their businesses.
