The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Tuesday called on “detractors and blackmailers” to stay away from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Umana Umana, to allow him focus on realising his vision for the ministry.

The IYC President, Peter Igbifa, in a statement, said Umana had shown passion and commitment to the job of bringing development to the region and should not be distracted by mischievous individuals.

Igbifa said “instead of trying to pull him down through baseless, unfounded and false allegations, Umana deserve the support of all stakeholders from the region.

“Already, the minister has shown his passion and commitment to reposition the ministry and actualise its mandate for the Niger Delta.

“All stakeholders in the region should support him to move the region forward”.

Igbifa said that Umana, since assumption of office, had sent many youths on training especially in the areas of Information, Communications Technology (ICT), to create a critical mass of entrepreneurs and employable youths in the region.

He warned youths devising various dubious means to extort the minister, using the name of IYC, to have a rethink because IYC as a body would never engage in underhand practices.

He said: “It should not be said that youths from the Niger Delta are, because of personal gains, tarnishing the revered name of the IYC. We are calling on such persons to stop causing nuisance and giving us a bad name.”

Igbifa appealed to Umana to remain focused on his task to make positive impact in the region, adding that the IYC would support him to succeed in his office.

Appealing to the minister to continue with the inclusive and decisive leadership style, Igbifa urged Umana not to be bothered about actions of detractors, adding that he would only be judged by his achievements.