The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Reps committee commends Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

    Reps committee commends Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

    …pledges support for return of democratic rule

    The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the oversight of the administration of Rivers State has commended the sole administrator, Ibok-Eket Ibas, for what it described as remarkable progress in stabilising the state during emergency rule, pledging its support for the restoration of democratic governance in the state.

    The committee, led by House Leader and Chairman, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, was in Rivers State on a courtesy visit and inspection tour as part of its oversight mandate. 

    Speaking during the visit on Thursday, Ihonvbere said the National Assembly was encouraged by the sole administrator’s achievements so far and remained committed to ensuring the return of democratic rule.

    “We are hopeful about what the Administrator has done so far. The House of Representatives is committed to seeing a smooth transition back to full democratic governance in Rivers State,” Ihonvbere said. 

    The lawmakers inspected the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, where reconstruction works are ongoing to prepare the legislature for effective operations once the state returns to civilian leadership. Ihonvbere noted that the quality and scope of the work showed readiness for a functional assembly in the post-emergency period.

    Receiving the delegation, Ibas expressed appreciation for the National Assembly’s support and oversight role, which he said had bolstered his administration’s work. He stressed that restoring security had been a top priority and a significant success.

    The Administrator further disclosed that preparations for the conduct of local government council elections were in full swing. The polls, scheduled for 30 August 2025, are aimed at reinstating democratic governance at the grassroots. 

    He said the Rivers State Government had provided the necessary funding to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC) to guarantee smooth, credible elections.

    Ibas also briefed the committee on several projects being pursued under his administration. These include the reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, which he described as essential for restoring legislative work; the completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt, which will be handed over to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital to enhance healthcare delivery; and the long-delayed dualisation of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. On the latter, he revealed that ₦150 billion had already been paid for the project, yet no tangible work had commenced.

    Read Also: Reps committee chair: state secretariat worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza

    The committee expressed satisfaction with the Administrator’s efforts and acknowledged the challenges of governing under emergency conditions. 

    Members urged that all key projects, particularly those affecting infrastructure and public services, be completed on schedule to consolidate gains made during the emergency period.

    Ihonvbere assured Ibas that the House of Representatives would continue to monitor developments closely, provide legislative backing where needed, and work to ensure the transition back to democratic governance is smooth and timely.

    Both sides agreed on the need for sustained collaboration between State and Federal authorities to maintain peace, accelerate development, and guarantee the restoration of democratic rule in Rivers State.

    The visit ended with an inspection of key project sites, during which committee members expressed optimism that the state was on the right path to stability and progress.

  • Council chairman Ogedegbe denies threatening activist

    Council chairman Ogedegbe denies threatening activist

    The Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area in Delta State, Chief (Hon.) Augustine Ogedegbe, has dismissed allegations that he threatened the life of Mr. Vincent E. Aki, popularly known as Aproko.

    The claims, which surfaced on social media, accused the council boss of sending warnings to Aki and his family over videos criticising his administration.

    In one of the viral videos, Aki alleged that his life was under threat following his public criticism of the local government’s performance, saying he had been unable to sleep at home and feared for his safety.

    “If anything happens to me, hold Ethiope East responsible, hold the Nigerian government responsible, hold the Delta State government responsible,” Aki said in the video, claiming he was protesting for good governance and better administration.

    Reacting to the allegations through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ofua Experience, Ogedegbe described the claims as false, malicious, and baseless, insisting they were part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and the image of his administration.

    Ofua, stressed, the allegations are baseless and also an attacks on the integrity of the Council Chairman and its administration that has maintained transparency, accountability, and respect to the dignity of citizens.

    He maintained however that Ogedegbe, has remained a staunch advocate for democratic ideals, commitment to the freedom of speech and the right of citizens to better welfare. This is even when some defies basic rules of public engagement.

    It is on record that his administration has always given rooms for constructive criticism of government policies. 

    Ofua, therefore urges the public to disregard those baseless claims and join the chairman to work on Governor Sheriff Oborewori’s MORE agenda, and desist from campaign of calumny. : The chairman remains focused and ready to transform the council” he concluded.

  • Inegbeniki denies mobilising youths to disrupt Edo by-election

    Inegbeniki denies mobilising youths to disrupt Edo by-election

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo Central, Chief Francis Inegbeniki has insisted he had no plan whatever to disrupt Saturday By-Elections as alleged by  Edo Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Emperor Jarret Tenebe.

    Tenebe, had alleged  Inegbeniki was mobilising youths from neighboring States to disrupt the elections on Saturday in Esan Land (Edo Central Senatorial District)

    The APC chieftain also called for probe of Inegbeniki over the alleged murder of Police Inspector Unoh Akor.

    But, in his reaction on Friday, Inegbeniki described the allegations by Tenebe as malicious, false and misleading.

    “My attention has been drawn to a press release signed by Emperor Jarret Tenebe, where my name was mentioned as one of those mobilising thugs to disrupt the Saturday election in Esan Land (Edo Central Senatorial District).

    Read Also: Edo seminarians cry for help from kidnappers’ den

    “I take exception to that reckless statement. It is clear Tenebe should not be taken seriously. Jarret is known for talking before thinking.”

    Inegbeniki urged all peace loving people of Edo Central Senatorial District to go about their civic duties by going out to vote on Saturday. 

    “Once again, I deny any involvement in the death of the Police man, Inspector Unoh Akor, I was not on Airport road on the day of the incident  neither did I plan or conspired with anyone. 

    ” I am innocent of the allegations.  It is now clear that it was Jarret Tenebe that framed up the allegations against me just to smear my hard earned reputation.  I was not involved..”

  • One day, four milestones: A new Chapter for Cross River

    One day, four milestones: A new Chapter for Cross River

    Calabar, the Cross River State capital, came alive on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in a display of pageantry, promise, and progress that will be remembered for years to come. The city was abuzz with celebration as Governor Bassey Edet Otu, backed by the Federal Government, unveiled a quartet of transformational initiatives and projects, all in a single day, signaling the dawn of a new chapter in the “People’s Paradise.”

    The special guest of honour, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presided over the events in what felt less like routine governance and more like a festival of milestones. From aviation to education, from enterprise to digital innovation, the day’s activities painted a bold picture of Cross River’s determination to rise above past limitations and seize its future.

    The day began with a gathering at Margaret Ekpo International Airport, where dignitaries, business leaders, and everyday citizens converged to witness the commissioning of two state-of-the-art Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets, each with a 100-passenger capacity.

    The aircraft, newly acquired for Cally Air, are to be operated by ValueJet Airlines pending the state’s Air Operator’s Certificate. For Governor Otu, this was more than an addition to a fleet; it was a strategic leap to make Cross River a year-round tourism and investment hub.

    “Tourism is the heartbeat of our economy, but it cannot thrive without seamless connectivity,” Otu declared. “These aircraft are bridges to opportunity, prosperity, and a sweeter future for our people.”

    Vice President Shettima, delivering President Tinubu’s message, hailed the move as “an economic catalyst” and pledged the Federal Government’s support for sub-national investments that create jobs, attract visitors, and promote trade.

    With this, Cross River now boasts a fast-growing fleet: two Boeings and two Bombardiers, with plans for more acquisitions. Coupled with the ongoing construction of the Obudu International Cargo Airport and the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, the state is positioning itself as a logistics and tourism powerhouse.

    From the airport, the celebration moved to the heart of Calabar, where the remodeled and fully digitalized Cross River State Library Complex was unveiled. The transformation is striking: blending a traditional public library with a cutting-edge ICT Hub that offers free access to e-learning platforms, coding labs, and digital entrepreneurship resources.

    “This is no longer just a library,” Otu remarked. “It is a gateway to the future, especially for our young people. Here, knowledge meets innovation.”

    The facility reflects the administration’s vision to make Cross River a digital hub in Nigeria’s South-South region, empowering its youthful population to compete in the global knowledge economy.

    The day’s final stop was the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic at the Calabar International Conference Centre, a vibrant convergence of small business owners, startup founders, and federal agencies.

    Here, the Vice President announced the disbursement of ₦250,000 unconditional grants to selected outstanding entrepreneurs in Cross River. “This is part of our resolve to take the Federal Government’s support directly to the doorsteps of businesses nationwide,” Shettima said.

    Governor Otu, on his part, pledged continued support for small enterprises, stating, “Beyond agriculture, we are building an economy where MSMEs thrive and drive innovation.”

    More than the individual projects, the day carried a symbolic weight: the Federal Government’s open endorsement of Governor Otu’s development agenda. In each speech, Vice President Shettima praised the governor’s vision, describing his leadership as “what strong sub-national governance should look like.”

    For many Cross Riverians, the events represented a turning point, not just in infrastructure, but in confidence. Hoteliers see steadier guest flows on the horizon. Event planners anticipate renewed conference tourism. And young innovators now have a physical space to grow ideas into enterprises.

    Tuesday’s four milestones: two new aircraft, a digital library, an MSME boost, and federal validation are interconnected steps in a broader strategy to make Cross River a competitive player in tourism, trade, education, and technology.

    As one tourism entrepreneur, Bassey Ekefre, put it, “These planes don’t just carry passengers; they carry the promise of a new era for Cross River.”

    With each smooth take-off from Calabar, each student logging onto a digital course, and each small business receiving a lifeline, the “Season of Sweetness” extends its reach, proving that with vision, partnership, and action, a state can indeed spread its wings and soar.

    ©️ Nsa Gill is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Affairs._

  • Ijaw group warns stakeholders against misrepresentation of PAP’s mission

    Ijaw group warns stakeholders against misrepresentation of PAP’s mission

    …says scheme created without bias towards ethnicity

    …reaffirms support for Otuaro’s leadership

    Socio-cultural crusaders in the Niger Delta, the Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC), have cautioned some stakeholders in the region against misrepresenting the mission and vision of establishing the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    The coordinator, ICHC, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, on Wednesday, issued this statement against the backdrop of comments made by a certain official purportedly representing the Olu of Itsekiri in the PAP.

    The ICHC boss asserted that the PAP was established as a federal initiative aimed at addressing the needs of its documented 30,000 beneficiaries from the region, and not to cater to the interests of any traditional rulers or their councils.

    He said the Amnesty Programme is intended for the empowerment, reintegration, and welfare of beneficiaries from various ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, without favouritism or bias towards any particular group.

    He said the ICHC is strongly opposed to any attempts to suggest that the PAP operates under the influence of the Itsekiri traditional authorities.

    Kemepadei emphasised that the programme is independent and should not be subjected to directives from any monarch’s palace.

    He urged monarchs and their representatives to avoid statements that could incite discord or spread misinformation about the PAP.

    He highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability within the region, which, according to the group, is crucial for governance and development.

    Read Also: Ijaw group defends PAP boss Otuaro, alleges ethnic sentiments 

    Kemepadei reminded all stakeholders that the focus of the PAP had shifted from disarmament to reintegration, asserting that the Itsekiri community, like all other ethnicities, must understand this shift, and any prior claims for disarmament cannot be revisited.

    The ICHC boss advised monarchs to uphold the dignity of their offices and act with the integrity expected of their thrones, suggesting that if any monarch seeks to become involved in the PAP as former militants, they should pursue reconciliation through appropriate channels with their state governments.

    The statement noted, “The ICHC strongly condemns the recent remarks by the Itsekiri Council’s representative, who has attempted to mislead the public by suggesting that the PAP under Dr. Dennis Otuaro is skewed against the Itsekiri people.

    “Such claims are not only false but are calculated to stir unnecessary ethnic tension. While the representative claimed he had been involved in the disarmament phase years ago, he should know that that era is over.

    “The PAP is now in its reintegration phase, which operates strictly based on the existing list of beneficiaries, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, and others alike, without room for ethnic favouritism, blackmail or political manipulation.

    “We remind him that his appointment as sole Itsekiri representative to the PAP Office in 2024, courtesy of the Olu of Itsekiri’s recommendation, does not confer authority on him to dictate programme policy or undermine the Administrator, as the PAP cannot answer to the palace.

    “The PAP is a Niger Delta-wide peace instrument, not an ethnic bargaining chip for palace politics.”

    Kemepadei reiterated the ICHC’s full confidence in the leadership of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, who, since assuming office, had worked with diligence, inclusivity, and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He noted, “His (Otuaro’s) track record of engaging stakeholders across ethnic divides, and ensuring fairness in programme delivery stands as a testament to his capability and dedication to the beneficiaries.

    “Let it be known: the PAP belongs to the entire Niger Delta, not the Itsekiri people and its continuity and success demand unity, not division.”

  • N’Delta monarch urges urgent works on deteriorated south-south roads

    N’Delta monarch urges urgent works on deteriorated south-south roads

    The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty Udurhie I, has implored the dederal government to urgently intervene in the worsening condition of federal highways in the Southsouth region.

    The monarch, while describing the roads as “death traps” stated that not only are lives threatened, the situation was crippling economic activities, and fueling insecurity in the region 

    Speaking at his palace in Jesse, Ethiope West council area of Delta State, the traditional ruler said the state of key federal roads had reached an alarming level, listing critical but severely deteriorated routes such as the Benin flyover, Benin-Sapele, Sapele-Warri, Warri-Ughelli, Ughelli-Patani, Patani-Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt-Eket, and Port Harcourt-Calabar roads.

    “We no longer have roads in Southsouth Nigeria. What we have now are not motorable roads, they are death traps,” Udurhie I declared.

    He particularly criticized the slow pace of work along the Benin-Warri route, citing the Ologbo section of the project.

    Read Also: Olu of Warri urges protection of N’Delta mangrove, ecosystem

    “Go to Ologbo, the contractors are just rigmaroling in one spot. For three years now, they’ve not moved. If they finish one side, they put up a barricade, and you expect all the trucks from Northern and Western Nigeria heading to the Southsouth to squeeze through? It’s unacceptable,” he lamented.

    Continuing he said: “You want to go to Calabar now? Prepare yourself for a two-day journey.

    “If you venture onto those roads, people trekking can meet you, dispossess you of your valuables, and trek back.”

    The royal father called on the Federal Government to take advantage of the short dry season in the Niger Delta to fix the worst portions, noting that many failed sections span only two to three kilometres.

    Expressing optimism in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, the monarch stressed the urgency of deliberate action. 

    “I know that the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for this country. But in meaning well, we desire special attention in the Southsouth,” he said.

  • Ijaw group defends PAP boss Otuaro, alleges ethnic sentiments 

    Ijaw group defends PAP boss Otuaro, alleges ethnic sentiments 

    Following incessant attacks by faceless groups allegedly from Warri, a group known as the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has reiterated that the attackers never embraced the Presidential Amnesty Programme when it was proclaimed by then President, late Uma’ru Yar’Adua in 2009.

    This was contained in a response to the latest attacks, which IPDI said were by those described as manipulative Internet groups.

    The statement IPDI reacted to was co-signed by the accusing group’s National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin and National Secretary, Comrade Peter Luke, last Sunday.

    According to IPDI, it was becoming evident that the incessant attacks on the Administrator of the PAP, Chief (Dr) Brutu Otuaro, were borne out of primordial sentiments because he is an Ijaw man from the famous Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    The reply stated in part that, “The attention of IPDI has been drawn to a statement by a pseudo and non-existent group to blackmail the revered and most performing administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro.

    “We are, however, not perturbed, knowing fully well the Presidency and all well-meaning Niger Deltans could attest to the credible performance of Dr Otuaro.

    “It is becoming evident that the incessant attacks on the Administrator of the PAP Dr. Otuaro, are borne out of primordial sentiments because he is a Gbaramatu Ijaw man.”

    Read Also: Why Niger Delta should support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, by Otuaro

    The statement read further that; “It is ignorance that makes the cat to attack a lion for a fight and believe that they are of the same breed if they all have black spotted skins, what the miscreants and mischief makers do not know is that IPDI is a revered rights advocacy group, known for its proactiveness in the defense of Niger Delta rights against oppression and marginalization over the years, so describing IPDI as faceless group is laughable and it shows the level of ignorance.

    “We wish to reiterate that no disarmament and demobilisation of the Presidential Amnesty programme was held in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. The first, second and third phases of the programme were held in Agbarho and 3 battalions in Delta State.

    “We are using this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to caution the concerned youths, and if the government fails to call them to order, their activities may disrupt peace and stability in the Niger Delta”, the statement added.

  • N/Delta youths back Otuaro’s call for Tinubu’s support in 2027

    N/Delta youths back Otuaro’s call for Tinubu’s support in 2027

    The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders (CNDYS) has expressed strong support for the recent statement made by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s candidacy for the 2027 general elections.

    Following an emergency consultative meeting, the coalition praised Otuaro’s “bold and strategic” call for regional unity in backing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the Convener of the CNYDS, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, emphasised that President Tinubu’s administration had shown an unprecedented commitment to the peace, stability, and development of the Niger Delta.

    The coalition pointed to significant initiatives, including increased budget allocations for education through PAP, support for the South-South Development Commission, funding for the Niger Delta Development Commission, and various vocational training and empowerment programmes, as evidence of the President’s dedication to the region.

    Kemepadei affirmed that Dr. Otuaro’s assertion reflected the confidence the Niger Delta people have in President Tinubu, citing his track record over the past two years in promoting peace and socio-economic growth as substantial proof of his genuine partnership with the region.

    Read Also: Why Niger Delta should support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, by Otuaro

    The coalition’s Convener also urged their constituents to remain vigilant against political actors attempting to disrupt unity and progress ahead of the elections, highlighting the importance of collective action for the region’s advancement.

    “We call on all Niger Delta youths, community leaders, and stakeholders to resist the antics of desperate politicians and stand solidly behind the only candidate with a proven agenda for our people; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.

    Reaffirming their unwavering position, Kemepadei stated: “We wholeheartedly restate our full backing for Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s timely and visionary call to rally the Niger Delta solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    “Dr. Otuaro has shown true leadership by placing the collective interest of our region above personal or partisan considerations. His proactive engagement with stakeholders and his steadfast commitment to peace, development, and empowerment perfectly align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” 

    He further commended Otuaro for leveraging his office as PAP’s Administrator to expand life-changing opportunities for ex-agitators and youths through enhanced education, vocational training, and post-training empowerment programmes.

    He pledged, “We stand with Dr. Otuaro because his message is the message of progress. We commend him for echoing the aspirations of the Niger Delta people and for defending our collective future under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that President Tinubu’s second term mandate is delivered, so that the gains we are witnessing today will not only be sustained but multiplied for generations to come.”

  • Plight of Bakassi ‘unholy, unjust’, says C’River Deputy Gov

    Plight of Bakassi ‘unholy, unjust’, says C’River Deputy Gov

    Cross River State Deputy Governor Peter Odey has described as “unholy and unjust” the plight of the displaced inhabitants of Bakassi Peninsula following its ceding to the Republic of Cameroon and the consequent loss of 76 oil wells.

    Odey, who spoke at the inaugural Nigeria International Coastal Border Platform Summit in Uyo, lamented the condition of the residents as an “international, African, and national abandonment.”

    Speaking before an audience of coastal state Deputy Governors, maritime experts, security chiefs, lawmakers, and traditional rulers, Odey said: “We talk about international cooperation, yet the people of Bakassi have been left behind—forgotten by both the international community and the Nigerian state,” he declared. “Since the unjust and unholy ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula in 2012, our people have been living as strangers in their own country. It is an affront to justice and humanity.”

    The Deputy Governor painted a stark picture of the conditions in Bakassi, lamenting the absence of any meaningful intervention from either national or international bodies.

    “That area has been abandoned without a single form of sustained support—no international assistance, no African solidarity, no tangible action from our own national government,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We cannot, in good conscience, continue to hold conferences and issue communiqués while a whole community languishes in despair.”

    Read Also: Police arrest college student for faking own kidnap to extort ₦50m from mother

    Odey urged the newly inaugurated platform to go beyond rhetoric and make the Bakassi question a central focus of its agenda.

    “I hope and I pray that part of our deliberations here will look into the plight of the impoverished and forgotten people of the Bakassi Peninsula,” he said. “May these deliberations inspire innovative solutions, foster unity, and pave the way for lasting partnerships that protect our oceans, respect our borders, and restore dignity to the displaced.”

    The summit, declared open by Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, attracted a high-powered delegation, including the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji; a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla; lawmakers from coastal states; top government functionaries; and community leaders. The event featured technical paper presentations by maritime and border governance experts.

    At the close of proceedings, the Chairman of the Platform and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, presented a 10-point communiqué, co-signed by deputy governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo States. The resolutions included harmonizing maritime laws, strengthening community-based intelligence networks, integrating climate resilience into border policy, and dedicating part of maritime tax and oil revenue to coastal security.

    While the summit’s resolutions spanned a broad spectrum of maritime governance priorities, Odey’s words hung in the air, a reminder of the human face behind border politics.

    “We can protect our waters and secure our borders,” he concluded, “but if we fail to protect the humanity of those who call these borders home, we will have failed in the very mission that brought us here.”

    The Nigeria International Coastal Border Platform Summit, though focused on broader maritime and border governance issues, now bears the added weight of Bakassi’s story—one that Rt. Hon. Peter Odey insisted must no longer be told in the past tense.

  • Sam Ogbuku and a birthday of intellectual festivity

    Sam Ogbuku and a birthday of intellectual festivity

    By Uche Igwe 

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, will turn fifty next week.

    However, contrary to the expectation of many, he will be marking his birthday differently. He decided to convert it to a festival of ideas and debates through the presentation of two books authored by him and his colleagues. 

    Although many of his friends and associates would have wished for a more elaborate celebration, his decision is a reaffirmation of the value he places on scholarship and intellectual inquiry. 

    I have glanced through both books and can confirm that they demonstrate a courageous and forward-looking attempt to proffer pragmatic solutions to lingering Niger Delta questions. 

    Through his writings, he revealed his evident passion for the region and his desire to leave it in better condition than he found it. One thing every reader will likely acknowledge is the author’s intellectual honesty. 

    He was frank about the historical challenges of the region and boldly admitted the misadventures of the past. However, he offered himself as an instrument for a conscious and deliberate recalibration through a pathway full of hope and optimism. It was as though he was somewhere quietly preparing himself and incubating ideas for such a leadership role ever before his appointment. 

    His preference for intellectual pragmatism in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta is not a one-off affair. He has recruited several academics on sabbatical leave from renowned universities across the region, who are embedded as researchers in core departments within the Commission.

    Sometime in 2019, our firm was engaged to support NDDC’s efforts to rebuild partnerships with development partners and the private sector. However, a few weeks after we submitted our roadmap and started work, the management of the Commission at that time was removed. The preceding management did not pay much attention to the plan we submitted until Dr. Ogbuku and his team came on board. 

    Read Also: Why Niger Delta should be grateful to Tinubu, by Ogbuku

    As part of his deliberate efforts to re-engineer the Commission’s perception positively and encourage them to partner with donors and the private sector, he invited us. Supporting NDDC’s work the past two years has further revealed Dr. Ogbuku’s personality and style to me and my team. 

    He puts no one in doubt about his progressive disposition and solution mindset. He is ever willing to listen to new ideas and allows positive initiatives to thrive. I recall a time when the Registrar of the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, visited Port Harcourt and requested to see him. 

    He agreed to meet with him but got very busy with work. When I reminded him, he graciously allowed the Registrar to meet with him in the evening at home. That is how far he can go when he gives you his word.

    A few times when our work got caught in some bureaucratic inertia, he intervened with a depth and understanding that we did not expect. His engagements with donors and investors within and outside the country consistently inspire positive feedback, suggesting that the NDDC now enjoys improved trust from stakeholders. 

    Many members of staff share the view that Dr. Ogbuku possesses excellent administrative acumen and an inclusive governance approach. Multiple sources within the staff have confirmed to me that the current management of the Commission is likely one of the best in terms of staff welfare. 

    Many innovative welfare schemes have been introduced to boost staff morale and enhance professionalism. Such an approach confirms that the Managing Director is someone who regularly and willingly listens to the pulse and concerns of his subordinates. 

    Working with or around Dr. Ogbuku, you will readily observe that he is a rallying point and a gifted connector of people from diverse political persuasions – whether you are his schoolmate, neighbour while growing up in Port Harcourt, or kinsman in his village. 

    You can rest assured that he will create time out of his hectic schedule to listen to you. You may underrate the versatility of his emotional intelligence until you engage him. 

    He may not be perfect in this regard, but I have heard some of his childhood friends commend him for not letting the glamour of the office distract him from his old friends or childhood associates. 

    I do not envy Dr. Ogbuku’s job. It appears quite complex, extremely demanding, and involves managing divergent stakeholders who often seem entitled. However, I admire how he quietly but distinctively discharges his duties in a manner that leaves everyone sufficiently engaged. 

    His display of political wit, dexterity, and versatility suggests that he has more to offer the region beyond his current position. I wish him good health and wisdom in delivering positive developmental footprints in this current position and beyond. 

    Uche Igwe, Ph.D, is a political economy analyst and visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. You can reach him at u.igwe@lse.ac.uk