Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Some youth groups in the Niger Delta on Tuesday said the inclusive style of Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is endearing opposition party members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They noted that the open-door policies of the current leadership at NDDC have placed the Commission at the service of Niger Delta people across party lines making inputs to development plans for the region.
The coalition applauded Ogbuku for putting smiles on the faces of the people of the region across party lines this yuletide.
The youth groups made their position known in a statement jointly signed by Pastor Teido Olayinka, President of Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYPP) Mr Maboshe Okitikpi, Vice President Association for Nonviolence in the Niger Delta (ANND), and Mr Datonye Iketubosin, Coordinator of the Coalition of Ijaw Youths.
The statement was also endorsed by Mr Benjamin Joshua, the Deputy National Coordinator, PDP Youth Reunion Group, and Madam Rosemary Brown, the President of Niger Delta Community Women Empowerment Association.
They observed that opposition members from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), chiefs, youth leaders and stakeholders in the region who hitherto disliked the APC and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government have now started identifying with the ruling party because of the humane disposition of the NDDC boss, Ogbuku.
The groups praised President Tinubu for appointing a kind-hearted person like Ogbuku to oversee the affairs of the NDDC; saying that this is an uncommon love towards the region demonstrated by the president.
The coalition said that, for the first time, the NDDC reached out to different groups and stakeholders without discrimination, ensuring that families had a great Christmas and New Year celebration.
They said the last time they enjoyed this type of kind treatment from the NDDC was many years ago when Chief Timi Alaibe was the MD of the commission; saying that people who had no connection or influence were given their Christmas and New Year packages this time around.
According to them, “Youth groups, women groups and stakeholders across the length and breadth of the region are still in awe over the surprise giftings from the NDDC, because it has been long since they had this kind of Christmas benefits from the commission.”
“Something like this was last seen, probably in the early days of the commission when Alaibe was in charge, and people are now surprised that NDDC can remember the people of the region and share quality food items and cash gifts to make the yuletide merrier for them.”
According to them, Ogbuku’s achievements cut across different sectors, and the long-neglected people of the Niger Delta are beginning to feel the impact of good leadership with the arrival of the current MD.
They also extended appreciation to the chairman of the NDDC Board and other members of the team for the good work they are doing; saying that the people of the region are happy with the way and manner they are managing the board.
The stakeholders said if not for their support, people will not be singing praises of the NDDC to high heavens and in the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta, especially in the areas of education, scholarship, vocational training, road infrastructure and human capital development amongst others.
According to them, no state in the Niger Delta has not felt the impact of the current leadership of the NDDC one way or the other.
They said that many road projects embarked upon by the Ogbuku-led NDDC have been earmarked for commissioning and that very soon, communities which are yet to benefit will begin to see the light.
“Several communities now have street lights, these are communities who never thought about light,” they said.
“Many communities are now experiencing so much brightness – with night looking like a day. People in some communities cannot sleep because of the excitement of the solar lights.
“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 party A, you’ll be restricted from enjoying 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 27-28 of December 2023, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, and the S.A. Youth, Matthew Dango, were seen working in the commission; attending to youth and women groups into the night, 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 and generosity extended to the youths, women groups and elders within the communities to celebrate the festivities by the board in this their first Christmas are highly commendable.
“We cannot hold back our appreciation but join hands with other organisations to thank Dr Samuel Ogbuku and the entire members of the NDDC Board under the Chairmanship of Hon. Barr. 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 pray for God’s blessings, strength, wisdom and unity to envelope them, and we urge Niger Deltans to encourage them with good ideas and prayers for the speedy transformation of the region – beginning from this 2024,” they added.