Edith CHUKU
A coalition of women groups in the oil rich Niger Delta region has poured encomium on the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over his leadership style which they described as transparent and focused.
Speaking under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Women Leaders, the women commended Ogbuku and his NDDC led team for their efforts which they said aimed at addressing the developmental setbacks bedeviling the region.
The women in a statement made available to TNN in Port Harcourt on Friday by their national leader-Lady Annkio Briggs and the secretary-Tombra Kasikoro Kiloprite, called on the people of the region to give an unflinching support to the NDDC board to enable them succeed in their assignment.
They vehemently warned that they will not tolerate any attempt by anyone to rundown the leadership strides of the board.
According to them “this is the first time we are seeing visionary leadership in the helm of affairs of NDDC. Also, the first time women are carried along in the scheme of things by the NDDC. We appreciate the management for the cash gifts and other packages during the 2023 end of year festivities. All those who mean well for the region should queue behind this shining light that is changing the previous narrative.
“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reappointing the NDDC MD and members of the board who are all doing well and thinking outside the box to address the developmental setbacks bedeviling the region.
“We have some developmental plans and projects that will better the lives of women in the Niger Delta and we want to do this by partnering with developmental and governmental agencies to ensure that women in rural communities are empowered.
“We call on all Niger Deltans to give the NDDC Board the needed support to succeed because over time, we’ve been clamouring for the constitution of the board and since Mr. President has yielded to the yearnings of the people of the region and given us such kind-hearted personalities to run the NDDC, we must work with them to fulfil the mandate given to them.”
They added that “NDDC board has been addressing critical sectors of our region since they came onboard and the cooperation amongst them so far shows that they have the development of the region at heart. The programmes they are introducing have direct bearing on the people and that is one of the things that can help to improve the standard of living of the people.
“Their community-based approach is commendable because it’s at the community level that we see poverty biting very hard and we are committed to working with the government towards building a safe and peaceful Niger Delta where businesses can thrive. We urge all to work together rather than heating up the polity.
“As a group we assure the NDDC management team that the Coalition of Niger Delta Women Leaders will continue to partner with them to contribute our quota in ensuring that the region moves forward.”
