BAYELSA State Government has restated its commitment to encouraging youths, who make outstanding contributions to the development of the community and society in any endeavour.
The Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, stated this at the weekend while speaking as patron at the official launch of the Olotu Awards Project in Yenagoa.
Tuodolo described Ijaw people as honest, hardworking, hospitable and diligent, rather than as “misrepresented in recent times because of their stance on justice against underdevelopment.”
“Our subscription to the Olotu Awards Project is consequent upon our resolve as a ministry and people to be true to the shared values of our founding fathers, especially at times like this when awards are monetised and politicised,” he said.
The initiator of the Olotu Awards and Chief Executive officer of Pink Diamonds, Maria Glover, said the project aims at redressing the media’s alleged negative spotlight on the Ijaw youths.