Edith CHUKU
Overwhelmed by the projects and programs of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, the Forum of Presidents of Apex Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta, elderstatesmen and opinion leaders, is full of praises.
They commended the NDDC board led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie as its chairman and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Commission’s Managing Director for bringing hope and renewed energy to the region.
This was stated in a release made available to TNN on Tuesday, by the President of the Ijaw National Congress INC, Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba and former PANDEF National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, on behalf of other stakeholders.
The forum described the board’s leadership style as transformative, and poured encomium on them for their commitment to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) recently marked its 25th Anniversary with fanfare and reeled out some of its landmark achievements and challenges within the period in review. We, the Forum of Presidents of Apex Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta, elderstatesmen, and opinion leaders, wish to commend the current NDDC Team, led by Barr. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for their transformative leadership and commitment to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“Over the past two years, we have seen the NDDC Board implement projects and programs that have brought hope and renewed energy to the region. Their initiatives, such as Project Hope, youth internship scheme, and light up the Niger Delta, have improved the lives of many Niger Deltans. Their focus on physical and social infrastructure and human development has promoted rapid and balanced growth in the region.
“One of the notable achievements of the current Board is its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of resources. The Board’s efforts have raised stakeholders’ confidence and transformed the region through the equitable distribution of projects geared towards eliminating grassroots poverty. The NDDC’s engagement with stakeholders has also ensured that projects are designed and implemented in a way that meets the needs of the communities.”
The stakeholders revealed that “NDDC’s interventions in the health sector have been particularly noteworthy. The construction of 142 health centers equipped with modern facilities, resuscitation of the free healthcare program, and distribution of essential medical supplies have improved the quality of life in rural communities. The ongoing Niger Delta Regional Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt is a landmark project that will serve as a referral center, providing cutting-edge technology and advanced expertise to deal with complex medical conditions prevalent in the region.
“In the education sector, the NDDC’s Foreign Post-Graduate Program has benefited 2,323 students, and the National Post-Graduate Scholarship is also ongoing. Numerous schools have been rehabilitated and educational materials distributed to foster learning. The U-Lesson educational program, launched in October 2024, is a bold initiative that aims to encourage primary school pupils and secondary school students to embrace technology in an increasingly competitive international community.”
They also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and for “appointing a visionary team for the NDDC and urge him to disregard calls for the dissolution of the current Board. We reckon that this Board’s achievements over the past two years are a testament to the President’s commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region; hence, dissolving the Board at this critical juncture would truncate the milestones it has achieved, distort the others set and possibly ignite tension in the region.
“We also acknowledge the support of the National Assembly, ministers, governors, and other stakeholders who have contributed to the success story of the NDDC. The commission’s achievements would not have been possible without the support of such critical stakeholders. We urge them to continue in their support for the NDDC and work collaboratively with the current Board to build a brighter future for the Niger Delta region.”
Further, they noted that “as we look to the future, we make our repeated call for the release of the NDDC forensic audit report. We believe that it will help to keep the current Board and future Boards on track and ensure that the commission’s resources are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
“We pledge our unflinching support for the Commission’s mission to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
“In conclusion, we commend the current NDDC Board for avoiding the pitfalls of the previous Boards while charting a new course in its efforts to transform the Niger Delta region.
“We note that their commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of resources has raised stakeholders’ confidence and promoted rapid and balanced growth in the region.
“We urge all stakeholders to continue their support for the NDDC and work collaboratively with the current Board to build a brighter future for the Niger Delta region and Nigeria, at large.”
