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Tag: Victor Ndoma-Egba

  • Ndoma-Egba advocates education, skills, opportunities for youths 

    Ndoma-Egba advocates education, skills, opportunities for youths 

    Former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has warned about Nigeria’s growing youth population, cautioning that what should be a demographic blessing could quickly become a national burden if the country fails to provide education, skills, and meaningful opportunities for its young people.

    Speaking during an interview on The Exchange hosted by Femi Soneye, he said Nigeria’s inability to convert its youthful energy into productive potential is already manifesting in rising insecurity and economic stagnation.

    Recalling the country’s earlier years of optimism, Ndoma-Egba reflected on a time when Nigeria’s economy was vibrant and industrialisation was evident across regions. 

    “We once had textile factories in Kano and Kaduna, and a meat factory in Bauchi that supplied the entire West African region,” he said. “Those were the days of growth and productivity. Now, all of that is gone.”

    He attributed the nation’s steady decline to weak institutions and a cultural reluctance to hold those in power accountable. 

    “We are too deferential to authority and too timid to question it,” he lamented. “That’s why inefficiency and abuse continue unchecked.”

    The former lawmaker also revisited Nigeria’s enduring governance challenge, the high cost of administration. 

    READ ALSO: Commanding from the front: Tinubu strengthening national security architecture

    He recalled his experience as a young commissioner in the mid-1980s, when attempts to merge ministries to save money only led to overburdened officials and reduced productivity. 

    According to him, this over-centralisation of power and bureaucracy remains one of the key enablers of corruption today.

    Drawing from his tenure at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndoma-Egba described the agency as “a good idea gone bad.” 

    He said political interference and disregard for its founding master plan have crippled its effectiveness. 

    “At one point, there were 62 separate stops for payment processing,” he revealed. “A system like that is designed for inefficiency, not progress.”

    He further condemned the frequent dissolution of NDDC boards without adherence to due process, saying the lack of institutional stability makes proper planning impossible. 

    “If only we could allow a board to complete its full term, as the law provides, we would begin to see meaningful results,” he suggested.

    Reflecting on his time in the National Assembly, Ndoma-Egba said legislators had to battle public hostility that stemmed from Nigeria’s long years under military rule. 

    Many citizens, he noted, saw the legislature as “an unnecessary irritation” because the country had functioned without it for years.

    This perception, he added, was worsened by misinformation and scandals such as the much-publicised furniture allowance controversy.

    Turning to the youth question, Ndoma-Egba described Nigeria’s young population as a “reservoir of innovation, energy, and courage,” but warned that without proper investment, this potential could turn destructive. 

    “If they are not educated, if they are not skilled, if they are not empowered, they become a curse,” he said.

    He underscored education as the foundation for transformation, arguing that it broadens the mind and exposes individuals to endless opportunities. 

    However, he cautioned that education alone is not enough without corresponding access to jobs or economic empowerment. “An educated person without opportunity is a threat,” he warned. “An educated armed robber is more dangerous than an uneducated one.”

    He urged government at all levels to focus on policies that promote productivity, strengthen institutions, and create opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive.

    He concluded with a call for urgent national renewal anchored on two pillars, security and productivity. 

    “Our future depends on stabilising our institutions and giving our youth a reason to hope,” he said. “Only then can we achieve the secure and prosperous Nigeria we all desire.”

  • Ndoma-Egba wins unit for Buhari

    The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, won his polling unit Akparabong in Ikom local government area.

    The former Senate Leader polled 295 to beat Dr Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 35 votes.

    Read Also: Ndoma-Egba urges supporters to remain calm

    The results were a combination of two voting points at the Playground Mkpanjem polling unit with code 003.

    In the same polling unit President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC scored 171 votes while Atiku Abubakar of the PDP got 146.

    For the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, House of Representatives polls in the polling unit, Victor Abang, of the APC scored 125, while the PDP candidate and incumbent, Chris Agibe got 29 votes.

     

     

  • Ndoma-Egba urges supporters to remain calm

    The senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River Central, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has urged his supporters to remain calm and patient for Saturday’s election.

    Ndoma-Egba, who addressed reporters in Ikom Local Government Area over the postponed election, called on the public to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the benefit of the doubt.

    According to him, the postponement was not a setback to the development of the democratic process, but rather a part of the country’s learning curve.

    He said: “Let me not call it a setback, but a part of the learning curve. This is not the first time elections are being postponed. If you recall in 2015, elections were postponed. My concern is that we ought to have learnt from the 2015 experience to avoid a recurrence.

    Read also: Coca-Cola records 6% revenue growth

    “Well for any postponement, you repeat whatever expenditure you incurred. It is like spending twice. I mean when you mobilise people, there are issues of logistics and you have to go back to the campaign field, because by law the elections stop 24 hours to the election, which means that the field is open again for us to go back, which means new expenditure.”

  • I’m running for the Senate on my achievements, says Ndoma-Egba

    The Senatorial candidate for the Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, says he would be running on his achievements and not promises.

    Addressing reporters in Ikom local government area after a round of campaigns, he said recorded a lot of achievements during the time he was in the Senate and would do more if returns.

    He said the feedback from the people during the campaign was favorable as the came out in large numbers to show support.

    The former Senate Leader expressed confidence that the APC would sweep the elections in the state.

    Read Also: Buhari’s achievements real, impactful – Minister

    He was also confident that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the elections in Cross River State.

    He said in the entire time the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, the state had never had it so good in terms of appointments and recognition despite not supporting him at the polls.

    Ndoma-Egba, the immediate past chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said under the PDP the state had lost Bakassi, as well as its oil wells among others.

    “Come Saturday, Cross Riverians would troop out enmasse to show appreciation to Buhari. He will win convincingly. Under PDP Cross River lost Bakassi, oil wells and many others. You can go on with the litany of losses. Cross Riverians are tired of these losses and need something new and APC offers this,” he said

    He urged the security agencies should live up their duties and also be to non-partisan.

    Ndoma-Egba expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections in Cross River State.

  • Hope as Ndoma-Egba seeks return to the Senate

    Until May, 2015, Victor Ndoma-Egba was the Senator representing Cross River Central in the National Assembly. Though he sought to be re-elected, he could not get the ticket of his then party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) afterwards and is now seeking another stint in the red chamber, writes From Nicholas Kalu.

    His time in the Senate representing the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State was a time that witnessed the attraction of projects that improved the wellbeing of the people of the district and the state in general. Victor Ndoma-Egba, from Ikom local government area, who was in the upper house of the National Assembly for three consecutive terms, from 2003, rose to the rank of the Leader of the Senate, then on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Known to be bold and articulate on the floor of the Senate and also very diligent and enterprising in the many committees he belonged to in the red chamber, Ndoma-Egba who also sponsored so many bills, had his time in the legislative house terminated in 2015, when he lost the ticket of the PDP. The many controversies that surrounded the manner in which he lost the ticket led to his eventual exit from the party.

    Several times then, he had complained that the leadership of the PDP in the state had deliberately made him a pariah in his own party, and he had to find a new path as he still had a lot of politics left in him and so much he could still deliver to the people. Determined to remain a force to be reckoned with in the politics of his home state, he wasted no time in joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In his new party, he became the chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He seems keen to return to the Senate in 2019. Standing between him and his intention is the candidate of the PDP, Ntufam (Dr) Sandy Onor, from Etung local government area, a political heavyweight in his own right. The incumbent senator, John Owan-Enoh, also a member of the APC, intends to run for the governorship of Cross River State.

    Today, the former Senate Leader is still the chairman of the NDDC and the APC senatorial candidate for the 2019 general elections. Political analysts believe Ndoma-Egba’s advantages in the forthcoming senatorial race would be his many years of experience in the Senate as well as the many projects he attracted to his constituency and the state while he was in the red chamber.

    The projects, scattered across the six local government areas that make up the district, ranged from roads, water supply, to flood/erosion control works, drainage, library complexes, classroom blocks, scholarship to indigent students and even the law faculty building in the University of Calabar, among others. The local government areas that make up the district are Abi, Yakurr, Obubra, Etung, Ikom and Boki.

    Ndoma-Egba, who said his form was purchased for him by supporters who put pressure on him to return to the Senate, said despite his numerous achievements when he was there before, he still has a lot of important projects and a number of bills he could not finish in his last time out. He is also thinking of introducing new things that can improve the lives of the people in the district and the state.

    “I was in the senate for three terms, out of which I was in leadership position for two terms. For the eight years that I was in leadership under the senate presidency of Senator David Mark, there wasn’t any scandal. There was no rancour that became public and at some point, in the history of this country and the history of the senate, the senate had to provide the needed stability for the country.

    “Remember when President Yara’dua, may God bless his soul, was ill and was absent, we were on the precipice of a major constitutional crisis, but the senate held the balance. And historically, that is the role of the senate. The senate is supposed to hold the balance for the country when the country is in crisis.  Yes, the national assembly is an independent arm of government.

    “But it is an arm of one government and the three arms need to work in synergy, with some cooperation, for things to happen.  So I think that to move the nation forward, the legislature and the executive must work out a system of promoting the interest of the nation.  So, it’s a delicate balance and let me say this, the presidential system of government is designed with conflict inbuilt because without the conflict, you cannot trigger off the checks and the balances.

    “The answer is constant dialogue and finding ways round issues. And what am I going back to do is to help stabilise the country as we did in the seventh senate,” Senator Ndoma-Egba said in Clabar while addressing his supporters recently.

    Already several groups have started drumming support for the NDDC chairman. One of such, a political pressure group, Reclamation Mandate Group, rated the former senate leader as the best material for the job. The group in a statement signed by the Convener, Mr. Edo Owan, said his sterling performance at the national assembly while representing Cross River Central Senatorial district stands him out.

    “We want him to come back and complete the good works he started. His hard work, commitment to duty, resilient nature and benevolent disposition to all who came in contact with him earned him leadership and respect. Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba made only one promise to the people of central senatorial district during his campaign in 2003 elections, which is to give his people a voice, not just for central senatorial district, but for the whole Cross River State.

    “For the kind of democracy that we practice, a representative whether at the local, state, or at national level is expected to be heard, to give the people a voice, a loud positive voice in that matter. He is expected to speak for his people, marshalling their needs and goals with the sole aim to achieving their desires.

    “Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is known for his number of bills, motions he sponsored while he was in the Senate, notable among them was the Freedom of Information Bill, which today is the gateway to effective monitoring of government activities and conduct of public officers. When a lawmaker representing his people leaves the business of law making or goes beyond the law making process to attract projects, not just any projects, but projects that are dear to the heart of his people, then that representative is really perfecting the concept of efficient and effective representation,” the group said.

    But his major opponent, Dr. Sandy Onor, the PDP candidate for the Cross River State Central Senatorial election, in an interview with reporters in Calabar, had said he joined the race because he has the capacity to deliver the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Onor, an Associate Professor in the University of Calabar, from Etung local government area, believes the Senate is a place for intellectuals.

    “The former local government chairman and two-time commissioner said the people need proper representation, which only the best can deliver. We are in politics fundamentally because we feel our people need proper representation. I am running because a lot of people find me fit. I am running because I know and trust in my capacity to deliver. I believe that the Senate is a place for finest and the best intellectually.

    “And I believe that our state and the country would be served better if with the intellectual resources that we have with all due respect. If I am given the opportunity to go to the Senate, I believe I will do pretty well and this too is because of my experience through time, the confidence my people have in me that it will be so if I get there. I believe I will bring the kind of substance and colour that is peculiar to me. I believe I can expand the frontiers of representation if I am there.

    “It would not just be something new, but something profound and qualitative. Our people deserve the very best. One of the reasons Nigeria is where it is today is because we throw up the ‘not-so-good’, when the ‘very good’ are there. So I pray and hope that the people would be given the opportunity freely to choose best men for the job,” Onor had said.

  • ‘Ndoma-Egba did not boycott APC state congress in C/River’

    Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has debunked reports that he boycotted the State Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State on Wednesday.

    A statement on signed by an associate and APC chieftain, Chief Ernest Irek, on behalf of Ndoma-Egba, made available to The Nation in Calabar, read, “The attention of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba has been drawn to reports making the rounds in the online and mass media that he boycotted the congress conducted and approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

    Read Also: Cross River increases NYSC members’ allowance

    “The Chairman of NDDC had called top members of the party to intimate them of an earlier appointment he had to keep outside the country.

    “Ndoma Egba is loyal party man who cannot show disrespect to an order of the NWC of APC especially one that has the imprimatur of the National Chairman.The Senator is in complete support of the congress conducted in Calabar today 22 August 2018 and would personally issue his personal statement once he gets back to the Country.“

  • NDDC Pledges Support for Niger Delta Universities

    NDDC Pledges Support for Niger Delta Universities

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has stated its resolve to support the development of infrastructure in universities and polytechnics across the Niger Delta.
    The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba stated this during a courtesy visit by the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar [UNICAL], Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
    Senator Ndoma-Egba said that the main resource of any society could be found in its youths and not the natural resources or minerals. For this reason, he said, the youths must be skilled, motivated, educated and empowered. “If the youths are not properly educated, skilled or motivated, rather than be a blessing to the society, they become a curse,” he noted.
    He remarked: “We are concerned that our youths must remain a resource and not a curse to our region. That is why we are partnering with universities and higher institutions in the Niger Delta region to educate and produce some of the best minds the country will have to offer.”
    Senator Ndom-Egba said that the NDDC was making efforts to ensure that all on-going projects in the universities in the Niger Delta states were completed, especially in the University of Calabar being one of the oldest universities in the South-South.
    The NDDC board Chairman assured the UNICAL VC, that the Faculty of Law building which was on-going, would not only be completed, but would also be furnished, and would stand out to be one of the best Faculties in the country.
    Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Akpagu, thanked the Commission for all its interventions in his University and all other universities in the Niger Delta.
     He appealed to the Commission to intervene in its building of an Ultra Modem Medical Center, noting that since the inception of the university in 1975, the Centre had operated from a 4-room apartment, but with the current population of 46,000 students, the facility had become grossly inadequate.
    He also pleaded with the Commission for a massive expansion, stating that UNICAL was the only Second Generation University without an Engineering Faculty.
     He further pleaded for a provision of a Proper Senate building, stressing that the current Senate building was built to accommodate 5 Senate members, but the School had grown and currently had 450 Senate members.
  • Akeredolu excited by NDDC’s new approach to development

    Akeredolu excited by NDDC’s new approach to development

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has hailed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for adopting a pragmatic approach to the development of Niger Delta.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the second National Council on Niger Delta, organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta, in conjunction with the state government, at the International Centre for Culture and Events in Akure, the state capital.

    He praised the NDDC for re-appraising its approach and focus on a few key projects to be completed expeditiously.

    Akeredolu noted that by setting its priorities right, the commission will be able to effectively tackle abandoned projects.

    The governor recalled the history of development interventions in the oil producing areas and praised past administrations for transforming the region’s physical and economic landscape.

    According to him, the past engagements have yielded positive results, although marginal.

    Akeredolu said: “We must, however, not fail to mention the glaring facts of grinding and relentless poverty, which has been the lot of the region.”

    The governor regretted what he called gross infrastructural deficit and security challenges in Niger Delta.

    He said: “This region presents a cruel paradox: the country depends on it almost entirely for sustenance. It, however, lacks evidence of development, depicting its status as the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg.”

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described the Niger Delta as a unique region with many challenges. He said the region did not need sympathy, adding that it requires action to improve the lives of the people.

    Osinbajo said: “This is not optional.”

    He assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will ensure justice, peace and equity for Niger Delta resident.

    According to him, the region deserves to benefit from its immense natural resources.

    Osinbajo added: We have invigorated the NDDC to make it more effective. It is re-assuring that the commission is now putting pressure on its contractors to deliver on projects. He specifically recognised efforts of the Chairman of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Managing Director, Mr. Nsima Ekere, at driving development in the region.

    The Vice President restated  the Federal Government’s resolve to support the building of modular refineries in the Niger Delta, saying many of the licences given for the refineries expired while the owners were still sourcing funds.

    He added: “We have released guidelines for the refineries and we are committed to it. We expect the state governments to work with the local communities to make the efforts successful.

    Osinbajo said the Federal Government approved N2 billion for next month’s take-off of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State.

    The Vice President urged stakeholders in the oil sector and oil producing areas to effectively use the proceeds from oil to develop their environment.

    Osinbajo said the world was oil as source of energy.

    He noted that many countries were developing alternatives to oil, saying: “The future of oil is in decline, which is why it is the duty of stakeholders to explore opportunities now and ensure that government is not constantly battling with the security of pipelines. We should use the resources to develop other potential of the region.

     

  • Embrace the Niger Delta master plan – NDDC urges monarchs

    Embrace the Niger Delta master plan – NDDC urges monarchs

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has urged traditional rulers in the South-South region of the country to embrace the master plan of the Niger Delta region.

    The NDDC Chairman, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, stated this when he received the delegation of the South-South Monarchs Forum led by King Edmund Daukoru, the Amayanabo of Nembe in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    A statement by Mr Ibitoye Abosede, Director Corporate Affairs of The Commission, disclosed that the chairman decried the abandonment of the master plan shortly after it was launched in 2007.

    “We must return to the Master Plan. We have to agree on whether to terminate the current Master Plan, update it or upgrade it. And we need the traditional institution to play a role in this process,” he said.

    Ndoma-Egba stated that a comprehensive plan was necessary for any meaningful development and progresses to take place.

    He said that the NDDC was collaborating with state governments as partners rather than alternatives or competitors for the overall development of the region.

    According to the chairman, the region need to be united in all its activities to achieve the desired peace and development in the Niger Delta.

    He added: “There is no doubt that the South-South region has to speak with one voice and that is why engagements of this nature are very important because it will help us find a common ground.

    “It will help us synchronize our thoughts and our ideas so that whenever and wherever we speak as leaders of the South-South, whether as traditional rulers or political leaders, we speak with one voice.

    “I believe that the reality on ground is that the traditional institution plays a role in ensuring peace, mobilizing for development, providing a forum for dialogue, or providing a framework for furthering an action with others in this country.”

    On his part, Daukoru said that the landscape of the Niger Delta was dotted with “fruits from the Commission.”

    “We are ready to partner with NDDC and give you all the encouragement you need and we are hoping that we will see a bit more of you in terms of outreach through us to the grassroots people.

    “We also want to act as a channel and an advocacy institution for you so that through us, you will be able to communicate to the people whatever opportunities are open that they can participate more effectively.”

    Daukoru, who was a former Minister of Petroleum, decried the past neglect of the Niger Delta, stressing that the monarchs are the “missing ingredient” needed to galvanize positive development in the region.

  • Police reopen forgery case against Ekweremadu, others

    Police reopen forgery case against Ekweremadu, others

    The police authorities have re-opened the case of alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules by presiding officers of the Seventh Senate and other individuals.

    The invitation letter, dated June 6, 2016 and signed by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, James Caulcrick, directed the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark, to appear for interaction.

    Also invited are the former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang and the committee clerk, Dr. Nma Ogozy.

    The letter, titled “first reminder,” made reference to an earlier one written by the police to the officers on July 1, 2015 on the same subject matter.

    The police letter reads, “I refer to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police’s letter No. CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/VOL. 186/98 dated 1st July, 2015 requesting the under-listed officials of the seventh Senate to report to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for the purpose of conducting investigation on the above subject matter: Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Majority Leader of the Senate, Clerk of the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate, Chairman, Business and Rules; Secretary, Business and Rules.

    “As at the time of writing this letter, none of the officials in the above seventh Senate list honoured the invitation to respond to the allegations, except the clerks of the National Assembly and the Senate.

    “Consequent upon the above, you are kindly requested to inform the listed officials yet to respond to report to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department on 9th June, 2016 for the purpose of further investigation on the matter.

    “While hoping that you will accord this request the urgent attention it deserves, please accept the warm regards of the Inspector-General of Police.”

    Uche Anichukwu and Paul Mumeh, media aides to Ekweremadu and Mark respectively, denied any knowledge of the letter when they were contacted by journalists on Thursday.

    The Senate rules were allegedly forged to alter the pattern of electing presiding officers at the inauguration of the eight Senate on June 9, 2015.

    Rules on nomination for committee chairmanship were also allegedly tampered with by the effected lawmakers.