N’Deltå groups commend NDDC MD’s leadership style for peace stability

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A coalition of Niger Delta groups has attributed existing peace in the region to the leadership of Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The groups noted that Ogbuku is also in a hurry to develop the Niger Delta, armed with a strategic drive to unite the leaders of the region and get them involved in the commission’s development scheme.

This was contained in a statement issued on behalf of the coalition on Wednesday in Yenagoa by Amb. Amain Winston, National Secretary, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND).

The statement was co-signed by the coordinator of the Niger Delta Grassroots Development Forum, Mr Marshal Kunoun.

The coalition expresses gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ogbuku and other capable hands to oversee NDDC at a time when everybody in the region is yearning for development.

“The region’s people, for the first time, can now see that the Public Private Partnerships of the NDDC initiated by Ogbuku go beyond the IOCs, and will guarantee health, youth empowerment and education.”

“This PPP is gaining a lot of interest from the people, and the NDDC under Ogbuku is understudying some of the proposals received to make a careful selection that will benefit the whole region.

“Also, the progress recorded by the ongoing Project Hope programme of the NDDC targeted at creating jobs and empowerment is plausible.

“The operation light up Niger Delta communities which has illuminated several communities across the region in this Christmas Holiday is a pointer that many good things are going to happen in this regime.” The coalition stated.

The groups explained that the MD’s body language is to push the NDDC to gain global acceptance in terms of transparency, credibility and corporate governance.

They said that the current policies will attract the needed investors and development partners to transform the region into a choice global business hub, and preferred investment destination.

On the unity of the Niger Delta, they noted that for the first time, ethnic leaders from the region are speaking as one concerning the issues of the region.

According to them, this newfound unity will further accelerate the peace and unity of the region and culminate in development.

The coalition sued for support from stakeholders of the region to enable the current leadership of the NDDC to succeed.

According to them, the success of the current NDDC board is assured because of the strategic implementation of the best practices development template and framework.

“But there’s is hope for the region in 2024 because Ogbuku is a unifier, since he came, he has been able to galvanise ethnic leaders to speak with one voice and to do things in unity.

“That’s the major premise for development in the region. Before now, the leaders of the Niger Delta were divided.

“But since Ogbuku came, INC, PANDEF, Urhobos and other ethnic nationalities have come together to do things in common, and this is healthy for the region and our collective growth.

“The region and NDDC now have more focus. Their cooperation is commendable, and with this, 2024 will be a very good year for the region.

“This is because Ogbuku and his team are pushing for the development of the region.” The groups said.

The coalition also said that youths and other leaders are comfortable with NDDC leadership, and they know that one of the big things that Mr President has done for the region is the appointment of Ogbuku.”

“2024 is promising and we must encourage them to succeed. The Government is running an open-door policy where everyone is welcome to make input and we must leverage this to develop our region.”

“Ogbuku has many good plans which will transform the region in 2024 if given the requisite support, and the upcoming Niger Delta stakeholders Conference the Board is putting in place is something that will change the narratives.”

“The conference will allow stakeholders to make tangible contributions on how they want their communities to be developed, on how they want the region to be developed.” The groups said.

According to the group, the open-door policy and the consultative spirit of the present CEO of NDDC is what the people have been yearning for and the President got it right in his selection of the present team

“As stakeholders following the policies and programmes of the MD/ CEO we know where this board is taking the region to.

“We are pleased with the synergy and teamwork within the current board, we wish they continue on this path and not allow detractors to raise suspicions and doubts amongst them to weaken their unity.

“The recent first batch of 200 postgraduate scholarships for qualified sons and daughters of the region is a welcome development and also a signal for better other things to come,” they added.