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  • NDDC boss, Ogbuku, has no political ambition, say Niger Delta stakeholders

    NDDC boss, Ogbuku, has no political ambition, say Niger Delta stakeholders

    Stakeholders under the auspices of the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA) have lambasted persons accusing the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, of nursing a political ambition.

    The group said the allegation that Ogbuku was nursing ambition to become the governor of Bayelsa state was part of an orchestrated plot by detractors to lay the foundation for the destabilization of the current board and management of the NDDC.

    The stakeholders said: “As a group that supports the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, we will not stand by and watch as some unscrupulous politicians toy with our destiny by conspiring to pull down the NDDC Governing Board that was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 29, 2023.

    “We are concerned that successive Boards and Managements of the NDDC have been subjected to smear campaigns, fabricated stories and absurd allegations meant to tarnish the image of the officials, with a view to removing them from office”.

    The group warned enemies of the Niger Delta peddling the allegation to steer clear affirming that the current NDDC board and management were doing things differently by adopting new strategies.

    “We are convinced that it is a new dawn at the commission and the era of underhand practices are over. It is, therefore, preposterous for anyone to claim that the NDDC leadership is not working for the general good of the people.

    “It is common knowledge that the commission has invested in numerous infrastructural developments, especially on roads, electricity, healthcare, education, human capacity building, agriculture and environment.”

    The peace advocates insisted that promoters of the allegation were enemies of the Niger Delta, who were envious of the multiple successes recorded so far by Ogbuku and the board.

    Read Also: Niger Delta stakeholders blast detractors linking Ogbuku to political ambition

    According to them, the false claims are meant to sow a seed of discord in the region and scuttle the plans of the commission to speed up the development process.

    But the group said: “The truth is that the Board and Management of the NDDC are now, more than ever before, determined to make a remarkable impact. This became evident after the four-day Retreat anchored on ‘Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development’, which was held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

    “Following the retreat, we are beginning to see a new NDDC that it is pushing relentlessly to provide solar-powered streetlights in many communities across the region.

    “Apparently, some politicians are not comfortable with these emerging stories of success, hence the subterranean campaign to distract the NDDC leadership by dressing the Managing Director in an unsolicited political garb. We see this as an undisguised blackmail by some persons and groups to discredit Dr. Ogbuku and slow down his rising profile.”

    The stakeholders recalled that they met and interacted with Ogbuku on many occasions and from their engagements they observed without equivocation that he was not nursing the ambition of contesting for governorship in Bayelsa as he only pledged to revamp the NDDC to serve the interest of the region and the country.

    The group said: “We appeal to those weaving this political scheme around Dr Ogbuku to desist forthwith and allow him to concentrate on the task of implementing the NDDC mandate of facilitating rapid and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

    “The Niger Delta Peace Advocates believe that those who mean well for our region should join forces with key stakeholders to challenge the powerful forces and systems that are bent on holding the NDDC captive to subvert its objectives.

    “Although we cannot discountenance the effects of political interference in the activities of the NDDC, we are pleased that the current board and management have adopted measures to check these extraneous influences.

    “We urge the NDDC Governing Board to remain resolute and refuse to be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region”.

  • Niger Delta stakeholders blast detractors linking Ogbuku to political ambition

    Niger Delta stakeholders blast detractors linking Ogbuku to political ambition

    Stakeholders under the auspices of the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA) have lambasted persons accusing the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, of nursing a political ambition.

    The group raised the alarm over the allegation that Ogbuku was nursing ambition to become the governor of Bayelsa state was part of an orchestrated plot by detractors to lay the foundation for the destabilisation of the current board and management of the NDDC.

    The group’s Coordinator, Comrade Timi Apere, in a statement in Port Harcourt, insisted that those behind the allegation had a devilish motive of creating and promoting an impression that the commission’s management lacked focus.

    The stakeholders said: “As a group that supports the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, we will not stand by and watch as some unscrupulous politicians toy with our destiny by conspiring to pull down the NDDC Governing Board that was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 29, 2023.

    “We are concerned that successive Boards and Managements of the NDDC have been subjected to smear campaigns, fabricated stories and absurd allegations meant to tarnish the image of the officials, with a view to removing them from office”.

    The group warned enemies of the Niger Delta peddling the allegation to steer clear affirming that the current NDDC board and management were doing things differently by adopting new strategies.

    “We are convinced that it is a new dawn at the commission and the era of underhand practices are over. It is, therefore, preposterous for anyone to claim that the NDDC leadership is not working for the general good of the people.

    “It is common knowledge that the commission has invested in numerous infrastructural developments, especially on roads, electricity, healthcare, education, human capacity building, agriculture and environment”, they said.

    The peace advocates insisted that promoters of the allegation were enemies of the Niger Delta, who were envious of the multiple successes recorded so far by Ogbuku and the board.

    According to them, the false claims are meant to sow a seed of discord in the region and scuttle the plans of the commission to speed up the development process.

    But the group said: “The truth is that the Board and Management of the NDDC are now, more than ever before, determined to make a remarkable impact. This became evident after the four-day Retreat anchored on ‘Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development’, which was held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

    “Following the retreat, we are beginning to see a new NDDC that is pushing relentlessly to provide solar-powered streetlights in many communities across the region.

    “Apparently, some politicians are not comfortable with these emerging stories of success, hence the subterranean campaign to distract the NDDC leadership by dressing the Managing Director in an unsolicited political garb. We see this as undisguised blackmail by some persons and groups to discredit Dr. Ogbuku and slow down his rising profile”.

    The stakeholders recalled that they met and interacted with Ogbuku on many occasions and from their engagements they observed without equivocation that he was not nursing the ambition of contesting for governorship in Bayelsa as he only pledged to revamp the NDDC to serve the interest of the region and the country.

    Read Also: Tinubu has given us mandate to complete all legacy projects in Niger Delta, says Ogbuku

    The group said: “We appeal to those weaving this political scheme around Dr Ogbuku to desist forthwith and allow him to concentrate on the task of implementing the NDDC mandate of facilitating rapid and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

    “The Niger Delta Peace Advocates believe that those who mean well for our region should join forces with key stakeholders to challenge the powerful forces and systems that are bent on holding the NDDC captive to subvert its objectives.

    “Although we cannot discountenance the effects of political interference in the activities of the NDDC, we are pleased that the current board and management have adopted measures to check these extraneous influences.

    “We urge the NDDC Governing Board to remain resolute and refuse to be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region.”

  • ‘Ogbuku’s performance attracting people to APC’ 

    ‘Ogbuku’s performance attracting people to APC’ 

    A coalition of Niger Delta youth groups has said the performance and disposition of the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is attracting people, including opposition elements, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It hailed Ogbuku, saying he emulated the people-oriented leadership approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by rolling out palliatives to ameliorate the hardship of the people during the Yuletide.

    The youth observed that opposition members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chiefs, youth leaders and critical stakeholders, who hitherto hated the APC and the President Tinubu-led government, had started identifying with the ruling party because of the humane disposition of Ogbuku.

    The groups made their position known in a statement jointly signed by Pastor Teido Jude Olayinka, the President of Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYPP);  Maboshe Okitikpi, the Vice-President of Association for Nonviolence in the Niger Delta (ANND); Datonye Iketubosin, the Coordinator, Coalition of Ijaw Youths (CIY);  Benjamin Joshua, the Deputy National Coordinator, PDP Youth Reunion Group (PYRG) and Madam Rosemary Brown, the President, Niger Delta Community Women Empowerment Association (NDCWEA).

    They hailed President Tinubu for appointing a kind-hearted person like Ogbuku to oversee the affairs of the NDDC, describing the appointment as the President’s uncommon love towards the region.

    The youth said for the first time, the NDDC reached out to different groups and stakeholders without discrimination and ensured that families had a great Christmas and New Year celebration, insisting that such gesture was rare in the history of the commission.

    According to them, the last time they enjoyed such type of kind treatment from the NDDC was many years ago when Chief Timi Alaibe was the managing director of the commission.

    They said Ogbuku ensured that common people at the grassroots received Christmas and New Year packages.

    The youth also commended the Chairman of the NDDC Board, Chiedu Ebie, and other members of the team for their good work, saying the people of the region were happy about the way and manner they were managing the board.

    They said the performance of the board had compelled people to sing the praises of the NDDC in all the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta, especially in the areas of education, scholarship, vocational training, road infrastructure and human capital development among others.

    According to them, there’s no state in the Niger Delta that had not felt the impact of the current leadership of the NDDC.

    They said: “Many communities have streetlights, these are communities who never thought about light. These communities are now experiencing so much brightness – with night looking like day. People in some communities cannot sleep because of the excitement of the solar lights.

    Read Also: Why Tinubu govt can’t avoid borrowing, by Osoba

     “We appreciate President Tinubu for this board, because people did not feel the hardship because of the Christmas packages, unlike before.

     ”In the past, if you are in opposition party, you’ll be restricted from enjoying from the commission, which is our common patrimony, but this board opens the door to everybody irrespective of party inclination as long as you’re a ‘Niger Deltan’.

    “Up until 27th-28th December 2023, the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, and the S.A. Youth, Matthew Dango, were seen working in the commission; attending to youths and women groups just to see that no group is left out.”

    “Even if as human beings, we cannot satisfy everybody or groups, the popular views are that the magnanimity extended to youths, women groups and elders within the communities to celebrate the festivities by the board in this their first Christmas is highly commendable.

    “We cannot hold back our appreciation but to join hands with other organisations to thank Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and the entire members of the NDDC Board under the chairmanship of Chinedu Ebie, for ensuring that the resources coming into the region are fairly distributed to cover every area or aspect desiring development and improvement on the quality and standard of living for the common man in the Niger Delta.

    “We urge ‘Niger Deltans’ to encourage them with good ideas and prayers for the speedy transformation of the region – beginning from this 2024.”

  • We’re confident in your capacity to deliver, IYC tells Ogbuku

    We’re confident in your capacity to deliver, IYC tells Ogbuku

    • Congratulates newly-inaugurated NDDC board

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide says it is confident that the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board would deliver on its mandate.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., congratulating the NDDC boss on his inauguration, Saturday.

    The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, inaugurated the new governing board on Thursday, with a charge to change the “negative narrative” of the interventionist agency in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    According to the statement, Ogbuku’s reappointment shows among other virtues, his commitment to the development of the oil-rich region.

    Read Also: FG to engage guards to secure over 853KM coastline, 10,000 perimeters waterways

    The statement read: “The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, under the leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri wishes to felicitate with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku on his official swearing in as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission and your team by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Your reappointment to this exalted office is indeed a testament to your hard work, compelling vision, relevant experience, dedication, and absolute commitment to the growth and development of the Niger Delta and, indeed, Nigeria.

    “We, the Ijaw Youth council and stakeholders, are highly confident in your capacity to deliver on this new burden of responsibility placed on you, just as you have done exceedingly well as an interim administrator of the commission.

    “We pray that God almighty grant you the knowledge and wisdom and the requisite courage to pilot the affairs of this critical agency for the overall growth and development of our region and, indeed, the country at large.”

  • We’re confident in your capacity to deliver, IYC tells Ogbuku

    We’re confident in your capacity to deliver, IYC tells Ogbuku

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide said it is confident that the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board would deliver on its mandate.

    This was contained in a statement by the IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., congratulating the NDDC boss on his inauguration, Saturday.

    The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, inaugurated the new governing board on Thursday, with a charge to change the “negative narrative” of the interventionist agency in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    According to the statement, Ogbuku’s reappointment shows among other virtues, his commitment to the development of the oil-rich region.

    The statement reads: “The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, under the leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri wishes to felicitate with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku on his official swearing in as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission and your team by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Read Also: We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach for Niger Delta growth, says Ogbuku

    “Your reappointment to this exalted office is indeed a testament to your hard work, compelling vision, relevant experience, dedication, and absolute commitment to the growth and development of the Niger Delta and, indeed, Nigeria. 

    “We, the Ijaw Youth council and stakeholders, are highly confident in your capacity to deliver on this new burden of responsibility placed on you, just as you have done exceedingly well as an interim administrator of the commission.

    “We pray that God almighty grant you the knowledge and wisdom and the requisite courage to pilot the affairs of this critical agency for the overall growth and development of our region and, indeed, the country at large.” 

  • I wasn’t appointed to shift blames, says Ogbuku

    I wasn’t appointed to shift blames, says Ogbuku

    The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said his appointment by President Bola Ahmed TInubu is not to engage in a blame game, but to fix Niger Delta problems.

    He said he would perform his duties without partiality, noting that his focus was to tackle developmental challenges in the nine states of the Niger Delta.

    Speaking in a meeting with the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, at the headquarters of the commission, Ogbuku

    urged stakeholders in the Niger Delta to unite and confront the challenges facing their communities.

    The NDDC boss in a statement yesterday signed by the commission’s Corporate Affairs Director, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the NDDC would operate within the principles of inclusiveness.

    He said: “NDDC is for the nine states of the Niger Delta, meaning I am here to work in the interest of the nine states of the region. No matter your ethnic group in the Niger Delta, we all face the same challenges. Therefore, we must work together to address our challenges.

    “All ‘Niger Deltans’ must be accommodating and work in harmony to drive the process of development for the well-being of our people. I was not appointed to look back or shift blames. I was appointed to look forward to fix the problems in the region.”

    Ogbuku said his inclusive policy aligned with the global vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

    He said regardless of ethnicity, Niger Delta people were bound by common challenges of underdevelopment and ecological issues, adding that the commission was prepared to tackle them.

    “Regardless of our ethnicity, we are all related and we face common challenges. These challenges, like underdevelopment and ecological problems, bring us all together,” he said. 

    Read Also: I wasn’t appointed to shift blame, says NDDC boss Ogbuku

    Ogbuku said the commission adopted a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to fund major projects to accelerate progress in addressing the challenges.

    He said: “We are actively engaged in solar power projects to contribute to the fight against climate change. Our goal is to electrify every community using solar energy, while also seeking to recover carbon credits through our projects.”

    Ogbuku said the commission had entered into critical collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Limited, aimed at revitalising essential projects such as Bonny Ring Road, Okrika-Borokiri Road and Sampou-Sabagrigha-Ulako Road and Bridge projects. 

    He said: “Recently, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), and through this partnership, we intend to revive the Bonny Ring Road project, which was stalled for many years. 

    “The Okrika-Borokiri road and bridge project is also being revived in partnership with the Rivers State Government. Similarly, in Bayelsa State, we are partnering Bayelsa State Government on the Sampou-Sabagrigha-Ulako Road and Bridge project.”

  • Ogbuku, Jonathan’s wife urge Niger Delta youths to embrace peace 

    Ogbuku, Jonathan’s wife urge Niger Delta youths to embrace peace 

    The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and former First Lady Patience Jonathan have called on youths in the region to embrace entrepreneurship and peace for sustainable development.

    The duo spoke during the Ogbia Youth Summit in Ogbia, Bayelsa State.

    A statement signed yesterday by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Pius Ughakpoteni, said Ogbuku in his keynote address at the summit insisted that the youth must engage in meaningful ventures for the region to achieve sustainable development and peace.

    He appealed to them to key into the commission’s Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE) designed by the commission to identify their interest for skill training.

    Advising the youth to eschew cultism, drug abuse, thuggery and other vices, Ogbuku lauded their vision to set up a youth hub and pledged to support the initiative.

    He said: “As Ogbia people, we should jettison individual interests for the collective interest of the people. This is the example we should learn from our leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who declared that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian; that is the Ogbia spirit.

    Read Also: INEC to conduct mock accreditation in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    “What was handed to us by our founding fathers is the identity of an Ogbia man. Whatever achievement we must have accomplished today is the result of the legacies established by the late Melford Okilo and other great leaders. These legacies made us strive for greatness.”

    “It will be a bigger challenge for me if I can’t bring peace and development to Ogbia people. If we collaborate, we can partner and share ideas for success.”

    Ogbuku noted that focus on human capacity building was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

    Dame Jonathan, who represented her husband, ex- President Jonathan, as the special guest of honour, told the youth to avoid drug abuse because of its effect.

    She said peace and unity were needed to ensure sustainable development in Ogbia community and elsewhere in the Niger Delta.

    The President of Ogbia Youths, Amb. Johnny Jonathan, said the programme was to chart a new course in human capacity development among youths.

    Jonathan, who hailed Ogbuku for supporting youth programmes, stressed the need to educate young people on the importance of peace as a catalyst to economic and infrastructural development.

  • Ogbuku is chair of new NDDC board

    Ogbuku is chair of new NDDC board

    President Bola Tinubu has approved a new board and management for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    In the reconstituted board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie (Delta) and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa) retained their positions and as Chairman and Managing Director.

    The approval was announced yesterday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

    He said the appointments are with immediate effect.

    Others appointed into various offices are Boma Iyaye from Rivers State (Executive Director, Finance/Admin); Victor Antai from Akwa-Ibom State (Executive Director (Projects) and Ondo State-born Ifedayo Abegunde ( Executive Director, Corporate Services).

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    The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), inclusive of the following board and management team members:

    “Mr. Chiedu Ebie – Chairman (Delta); Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa), Mr. Boma Iyaye – Executive Director, Finance/Admin (Rivers); Mr. Victor Antai – Executive Director, Projects (Akwa-Ibom) and Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director, Corporate Services (Ondo).”

    Representing the states are “Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa); Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom); Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya (Delta); Chief Tony Okocha (Rivers);  Patrick Aisowieren (Edo); Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu (Imo; Victor Kolade Akinjo (Ondo); Chief Dimgba Eruba (Abia); Mr. Asu Oku Okang (Cross River); Nick Wende, (Zonal Representative, Northcentral); Namdas Abdulrazak, (Zonal Representative, Northeast) and Sen. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Zonal Representative, Northwest).

    “The President expects that the new Board and Management team will ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.

    “All of the above listed appointments take immediate effect,”the statement said.