Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria Postpones Public Enlightenment Campaign On Petroleum Industry Act

The Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria (SYFN) has announced the postponement of its highly anticipated Public Enlightenment Campaign on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) until further notice.

The event, previously scheduled for March 28th and 29th, 2025, at Creek Garden Hotels, Port Harcourt, aimed to foster greater awareness and engagement with the PIA among host communities in oil-producing areas.

The two-day Talk-Shop, themed Let’s Embrace the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)”, was expected to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives from Aradel Holdings PLC, the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The discussions were set to focus on the PIA’s impact on host communities, strategies for effective implementation, and avenues for sustainable development.

Amb. Comrade Emeni Ibe (JP, AP), the National President of the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria and Convener of the event, expressed regret over the postponement while reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to advancing public awareness of the PIA.

“This event was designed to bridge the communication gap between oil companies, the government, and host communities. Though postponed, our resolve remains firm to ensure that communities understand their rights and can hold stakeholders accountable under the PIA,” Amb. Ibe stated.

The Petroleum Industry Act, signed into law in 2021, was created to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and ensure host communities benefit from oil exploration. However, many affected communities remain unaware of their entitlements under the law.

The SYFN has called on stakeholders and the public to remain engaged and supportive of future efforts to educate and empower oil-producing communities. A new date for the Public Enlightenment Campaign will be announced in due course.

For further inquiries, the organizers can be contacted at 09162788280.

The Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria is a youth-led organization committed to fostering social development, promoting transparency, and advocating for the rights and welfare of communities in Nigeria’s southern region.