Tag: NDDC

• 3m youths applied for scheme, says Ogbuku

The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said 10,000 beneficiaries of the commission’s youth internship scheme will get N50,000 monthly stipend as from December.

Ogbuku announced this when he was decorated as an Ambassador Extraordinaire of the University of Ibadan (UI) by a delegation led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The NDDC boss said the scheme, which was launched on August 5 in Port Harcourt, had attracted applications from over 3 million youths who have been waiting for the list of beneficiaries to be released and the training to start.

He said the youths would be attached to organisations for one year to learn different skills.

Ogbuku explained that besides the internship programme, the NDDC had also given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through a novel programme called Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE). 

The NDDC boss urged UI to step up its research activities, promising that the commission would assist universities in embarking on research in various areas to solve some of the society’s problems.

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He said: “We are ready to sponsor research, partner with universities to produce life-saving vaccines and produce lasting solutions for medical and social problems.”

Ogbuku said the honour bestowed on him by the university indicated that NDDC’s achievements were beginning to be appreciated by Nigerians.

In his remarks, Prof. Adebowale hailed Ogbuku for NDDC’s transformation projects and programmes under his leadership.

He said: “We felt it necessary to honour those who have significantly impacted the lives of people in society. That is why we identified Dr Ogbuku as deserving of recognition as we marked the 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan.”

NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, praised the university for honouring the commission and Ogbuku.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku, on Monday said the 10,000 selected beneficiaries of the Commission’s Youth Internship scheme would begin to receive N50,000 monthly stipend from December 2024.

Ogbuku announced the windfall for Niger Delta youths while being decorated as an Ambassador Extraordinaire of the University of Ibadan, by a delegation led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He said the Youth Internship Scheme launched on August 5, 2024, in Port Harcourt, attracted applications from over three million youths, who were eagerly waiting for the list of beneficiaries to be released and the training scheme to commence.

Ogbuku in a statement by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thomson-Wakama, explained that the youths would be attached to organisations for one year to learn different skills. 

He said that apart from the internship programme, the NDDC had also given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through a novel programme called Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, HOPE.  

He noted that the scheme would identify the youths’ interests for skills training and charged the University of Ibadan with stepping up its research activities.

He noted that the commission would assist universities in embarking on research in various areas to help solve some of society’s problems.

He said:  “We are ready to sponsor research, partner with universities to produce life-saving vaccines and produce lasting solutions for medical and social problems.”

Read Also: NASSCO, NDDC to boost health care for indigent Niger Deltans

Ogbuku said that the honour bestowed on him by the university of Ibadan was an indication that the achievements of the NDDC were beginning to be appreciated by Nigerians. 

To add to these achievements he said the commission would commence the inauguration of more completed projects by the first week of December.

Ogbuku further said that KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy that reviewed the Commission’s corporate governance system to improve its internal processes and institutional protocols, had completed the assignment.

Ogbuku expressed delight that the task of producing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the NDDC was completed successfully, assuring that it would ensure a strong institutional culture anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, applauded Ogbuku for the transformation projects and programmes undertaken by the NDDC under his leadership.

He said: “We felt it necessary to honour those who have significantly impacted the lives of people in society. That is why we identified Dr Ogbuku as deserving of recognition as we marked the 75^th anniversary of the University of Ibadan.”

Giving a brief on the university, the Vice-Chancellor said: “The University of Ibadan holds a prideful place among universities in Nigeria and Africa and is also recognised globally. It has been consistently first in Webometric ranking for about 15 years. Interestingly, the University of Ibadan is the only Nigerian University to qualify for the Times Higher World University ranking in 2016.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olapegba, described the NDDC Managing Director as a social scientist who had contributed immensely in re-engineering the society.

He said: “We decided to celebrate worthy Nigerians and equally help build a future based on collaboration.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, commended the delegation from the University of Ibadan for honouring the Commission and its Chief Executive Officer. He promised that the bridge of friendship between the university and the NDDC would endure.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission will contribute N30 billion counterpart funds for the success of newly formed Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA).

He said the need to create jobs and develop existing small-scale businesses in the region led to the formation of NDCCITMA.

Ogbuku spoke during NDCCITMA’s sensitisation workshop in Akure, the Ondo State capital, assuring the residents of the region that the new chamber of commerce would assist in addressing the socio-economic and political challenges facing them.

A statement by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thomson-Wakama, said Ogbuku was represented at the event by the Ondo State representative on the NDDC Board, Otitoju Atikase.

Read Also: NDDC to pump N30billion into newly formed NDCCITMA, says Ogbuku

He said: “When we came on board, the first thing we did was to evaluate what was on the ground and immediately came up with the idea of establishing the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture.

 “As an interventionist agency, we believe that the NDCCITMA initiative will be able to stand in the gap between NDDC and the people in the area of job creation, trades and supporting the nano, small and medium-scale enterprises to grow.”

The Secretary to the NDCCITMA board, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, explained that the initiative would not only be a rallying point for mentorship but also for bringing about positive development in the informal sector and for supporting small business groups.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has said that the commission would contribute N30billion counterpart funds to ensure the success of the newly formed Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA)

Ogbuku emphasised that the need to create jobs and develop existing small-scale businesses in the region led to the establishment of NDCCITMA.

Speaking during the NDCCITMA sensitisation workshop in Akure, Ondo State, Ogbuku, assured that the new chamber of commerce would assist in addressing the socio-economic and political challenges facing the people of the Niger Delta region.

A statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thomson-Wakama, said Ogbuku was represented at the event by the Ondo State representative on the NDDC Board, Otitoju Atikase.

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He said: “When we came on board, the first thing we did was to evaluate what was on the ground and immediately came up with the idea of establishing the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture.

“As an interventionist agency, we believe that the NDCCITMA initiative will be able to stand in the gap between NDDC and the people in the area of job creation, trades and supporting the nano, small and medium-scale enterprises to grow.”

In his remarks, the Secretary of the NDCCITMA board, Dr Solomon Edebiri, explained that the initiative would not only be a rallying point for mentorship but also bring about positive development in the informal sector and support small business groups.

He said: “This is the opportunity the business community have been waiting for. This initiative will bring positive development, galvanising the informal sector and small business groups yearning for support, as NDCCITMA will be a rallying point, providing guidance and mentorship.”

Edebiri noted that NDCCITMA would invigorate the system to ensure small business owners could access soft loans.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has forged a strategic partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a pet project of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to enhance healthcare, education and other interventions in Nigeria.

The partnership, aimed at strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality medical care, will focus on various areas, including medical and education interventions.

The Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who disclosed this after the meeting with the First Lady at the State House, Abuja, said the commission was impressed by RHI’s laudable projects and decided to collaborate.

Read Also: NDDC launches largest educational investment in Africa

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, a joint medical outreach programme will be the first initiative under the partnership, combining the resources of NDDC and RHI to provide better healthcare services to Nigerians.

This collaborative effort is expected to have a significant impact, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

“We in NDDC, have seen the laudable projects of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we thought there was a need for us to also identify with all the programs and engagements of the initiative.

“We met with Her Excellency and decided to forge a partnership and this partnership is going to be in various areas, ranging from medical to education.

“In the next set of our medical outreach, there is going to be a partnership between RHI and NDDC”, Ogbuku said.

He noted that the Youth Internship Scheme of the commission, which targets job creation, empowerment for women, and the distribution of educational tools by the commission will be done through the partnership with RHI.

“Our team and the team of RHI are going to be meeting very soon to also expand most of these areas of collaboration.”

The strategic partnership, he says, will give women and youths in the Niger Delta region more reasons for joy as it will expand the scope of development and empowerment in the area.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has kicked off the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson educational tablets and software initiatives to primary and secondary schools in the Niger Delta Region, describing it as the largest educational technology investment in Africa.

Speaking at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NDDC Consultant for the U-Lesson Group, Sim Shagaya, said that world affairs were now driven by technology and NDDC had blazed the trail in its efforts to ensure that Niger Delta youths were not left behind.

He noted that the U-Lesson educational tablets being distributed by the NDDC represented the largest investment in education technology by any government agency in Africa.

Shagaya in a statement signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thomson-Wakama, said it was a huge intervention that should be emulated by both government and non-governmental agencies.

Shagaya advised the students to see the tablets as a way of inspiring them to work hard and achieve greater goals, adding that education was the key to unlocking their potential.

Inaugurating the distribution of the U-Lesson tablets, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the event marked a significant milestone in the commission’s efforts to enhance the quality of education in the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, said that the event underscored the unwavering commitment of the NDDC, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the holistic development of the Niger Delta Region.

He said: “The distribution of these education tools is a testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by the President and keyed into by the NDDC Board and Management.

“We are dedicated to fostering educational initiatives that promote literacy, numeracy, and lifelong learning, ensuring that Niger Delta youths can compete on an equal footing with their peers globally.

“These tablets represent our commitment to creating a conducive learning environment that fosters academic excellence, creativity, and innovation. With these U-Lesson tablets, our students will have a comfortable and dedicated space to learn, study, and grow.

They will be able to engage in collaborative learning, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships with their peers.

“This initiative is not merely about the provision of digital devices; it is a significant leap forward in our commitment to integrating technology into the educational processes that shape the future of our children.

“By harnessing the power of these digital learning resources, we aim to enhance student engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.

“The U-Lesson education software is meticulously tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in our local context. One of the standout features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without the need for an internet connection.

“This is particularly crucial in our region, where internet accessibility can be inconsistent. Additionally, the software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for both students and educators”.

Ogbuku described the distribution of education software, services, and tablets as a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, designed to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.

He said: “By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we are not only supplementing traditional face-to-face instruction but also empowering students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations, as we believe that every student in our region deserves access to quality education, and we are dedicated to providing the necessary resources to make that a reality.”

Read Also: NDDC begins distribution of U-lesson tablets, tech tools to Bayelsa schools

“In addition to the distribution of these tablets, the NDDC has also employed the services of a consultant to train teachers in the use of U-Lesson tablets for effective use across the nine mandate states.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, affirmed that technology was key to the future of the Niger Delta.

Antai, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Utility, Infrastructure Development and Water Ways, Engr. Albert Eigbe said that the U-Lesson tablets would be distributed to students in the region to enhance the quality of their education.

The Paramount Ruler of Onopa, Chief Tamama Morris, commended the NDDC for the novel programme, noting that it would offer more learning opportunities for students in the Niger Delta region.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to educational improvement in the region through a significant initiative spearheaded by the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, stated this on Monday, October 14, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, during the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of U-Lesson tablets and tech tools to primary and secondary schools in the commission’s mandate states.

Represented by George Uzo Nwanne, NDDC’s Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Ogbuku said the event marked a pivotal moment in the NDDC’s ongoing mission to enhance educational opportunities for the youth of the Niger Delta.

He said the distribution of the education tools is a testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by the President, the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, the Board and the executive management of the NDDC, noting that the initiative is a proactive step towards addressing pressing educational challenges.

The NDDC boss emphasised the importance of fostering educational initiatives that prioritise literacy, numeracy, and continuous learning, stressing that the commitment aimed to equip the youth with essential skills to engage competently in a global context.

He stated: “The U-Lesson tablets being distributed today symbolize more than just technological tools; they embody a transformative approach to education in the Niger Delta.

“By providing these resources, the NDDC is not only enhancing the learning environment but also encouraging collaboration, creativity, and innovation among students. This initiative is designed to facilitate meaningful interactions, allowing students to share knowledge and develop relationships that promote holistic learning.

“Overall, this event serves as a testament to the NDDC’s dedication to cultivating a bright future for the region’s students, ultimately empowering them to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

“This initiative is not merely about the provision of digital devices; it is a significant leap forward in our commitment to integrating technology into the educational processes that shape the future of our children.

“By harnessing the power of these digital learning resources, we aim to enhance student engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.

“The U-lesson education software is meticulously tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in our local context. One of the standout features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without the need for an internet connection.

“This is particularly crucial in our region, where internet accessibility can be inconsistent. Additionally, the software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe fool for both students and educators.”

Ogbuku said that as the commission embarked on distributing the education software, services, and tablets, they are taking a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

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He added: “By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we are not only supplementing traditional face-to-face instruction but also empowering students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations as we believe that every student in our region deserves access to quality education.

“We are dedicated to providing the necessary resources to make that a reality. To our students, we hope that these tablets will inspire you to dream big, work hard, and achieve your goals. Remember, education is the key to unlocking your potential and shaping your future.”

Ogbuku said that in addition to the distribution of these tablets, the NDDC had also employed the services of a consultant to train teachers in the use of U-Lesson tablets for effective use across the nine mandate states.

He urged all stakeholders to embrace this opportunity with great enthusiasm and optimism, saying that together they could harness the power of technology to build a brighter future for the Niger Delta, where every child has the tools and opportunity to succeed.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Igbuku, has not discharged effectively responsibilities of his office  to the people of Niger Delta, former agitator, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has said.

Akpodoro, in a statement after a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, said Dr. Igbuku is following the steps of those who mismanaged the agency by empowering opposition elements to the detriment of the progressives, who worked to enthrone the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Igbuku is playing the card of his godfather, who facilitated his appointment into office by denying foot soldiers of this administration to access benefits of policies and programmes of NDDC put in place by the government.

The Urhobo leader accused the NDDC chief of excluding  youths of Urhobo and other nationalities from the 10,000 beneficiaries of the social intervention programme announced by the Federal Government to cushion effects of the hardship.

He noted that this initiative to pay N50,000 each to 10,000 youths in the region is threatened because Igbuku is allegedly fencing out youths of Urhobo, Isoko and Ndokwa.

Akpodoro, mayor of Urhobo land, noted that Igbuku seems to disregard the ruling All Progressives Party, including its national chairman, citing a refusal to attend unveiling of the Progressives Institute in Abuja on September 6, despite being nvited.

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“Aftermath of his refusal to attend that event, Igbuku boasted that he is a tenured appointee, and nobody can sack him…He is victimising APC, and all it stands for, to which we are saying no to his discrimination. It’s an agency for all Niger Deltans and he should stop his administrative recklessness.”

He said Igbuku should be removed from office to pave the way for NDDC to make progress

The former agitator noted that the process of choosing beneficiaries of the social programme is fraught with fraud and lopsidedness and he called on the government to suspend the exercise. “From the body language of the chief executive officer, that project will benefit  himself and associates, with the larger Niger Delta youths  schemed out. Nepotism is a crime against humanity and the Federal Government should nip this in the bud”.

“Igbuku is undermining the the region. NDDC is not an exclusive preserve of anyone and nobody is more Niger Deltan than the other. Federal Government should halt the process, filter out all the inherent vestiges of corruption and clean the list.

“I am calling for a probe into his activities. He is answerable to the people, and he should render his stewardship.

“Igbuku must not bring  unhealthy ethnic rivalry into the agency because this will threaten the relative peace the regions enjoys.

‘‘National Security Adviser to the President, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, should look into his activities in the region, which can cause major ethnic disaffection. We seek transparency and accountability,” he noted.