Edith CHUKU
Overwhelmed by his developmental drive, a renowned pressure group in the Niger Delta region, has honoured the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, with an award of “Extraordinary Leader of 2025 in the Niger Delta region.”
The 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience 21st CYNDAC, described Ogbuku as the beacon of renewed hope and missing piece in the region’s developmental puzzle.
The group urged the National Assembly to expedite the approval of NDDC 2026 budget to empower Ogbuku’s board to accelerate its renewed developmental strategy.
Leader of the Niger Delta group, Mr Izon Ebi, commended Ogbuku for his consultation visits to states across the Niger Delta region and partnership with monarchs to support the federal government in the fight against oil theft.
His word, “Dr Samuel Ogboku has transformed the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, into the beacon of renewed hope for the Niger Delta region. The 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) are truly overwhelmed by his charismatic leadership and developmental drive as NDDC Managing Director/CEO, an embodiment of Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda.
“Ogbuku is the missing piece in the region’s developmental puzzle, having revitalized the NDDC into a brand-new commission through his unique roadmap for sustainable progress.
“His giant strides began with visits and consultations across various classes of traditional rulers in the Niger Delta. These engagements gathered firsthand insights into the people’s needs, prioritized by urgency. Only a leader fully prepared for the task would seize the bull by the horns as Dr. Ogbuku has.
“Dr. Ogbuku partnered with these monarchs to support the federal government’s fight against crude oil theft, urging them to monitor oil thieves closely. Recognizing that security agencies alone cannot eradicate criminality in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the NDDC MD leveraged his deep roots as a true son of the Niger Delta.”
Recounting the NDDC boss’ achievements, the 21st CYNDAC leader noted that, “through ongoing consultations with local communities, traditional rulers, and stakeholders, he has pursued peaceful, lasting solutions. His grassroots campaign is already bearing fruit, with crude oil theft experiencing a rapid decline.
“Under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership, the NDDC has attracted the World Health Organization (WHO) to the region, a new milestone. WHO has agreed to partner on a Health Insurance Project and other programs benefiting Niger Delta residents. Its involvement in NDDC medical outreaches will provide access to essential vaccines and medicines previously unavailable.
“The credibility and quality of NDDC projects across its states have soared, thanks to Dr. Ogbuku’s emphasis on monitoring and supervision. The commission now boasts a robust structure ensuring high efficiency in project delivery.
“Nightlife has flourished across the nine Niger Delta states, while robbery and other nocturnal crimes have decreased. This turnaround stems from the NDDC’s intensified rollout of solar-powered streetlights in communities—targeting criminal hideouts shrouded in darkness and promoting peace and stability.”
To the National Assembly, he said, “we at 21st CYNDAC urge that they expedite approval of the NDDC’s 2026 budget. This will empower Dr. Ogbuku’s board to accelerate its renewed developmental strategy, reaching all target populations and communities.”
