Rivers APC New Media

14/07/2024

How NDDC's 2024 Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit Will Usher the Region into the Promised Land

By
Martins Ogolo

“Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.”
~ Jonas Salk

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a Federal Government agency established by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on June 5, 2000, has the sole mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It has been laden with poor leadership at different times, leading to the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta Region for almost 24 years after its creation.

The commission, having received above 15 trillion Naira (over 9 billion USD) in the past 24 years, was at a stalemate prior to this time, as even the Commission's heads with good vision couldn't properly function due to interference from "external forces." Boards, interim administrations, and acting managing directors have come and gone with little or no impact on the lives of the ordinary Niger Delta citizens.

The "epoch-making" Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit (N.D.S.S.) 2024 was long overdue. Unlike several other summits organized by past administrations, this one had sincerity of purpose and was, for the first time, apolitical. Invitees were not members of a particular political party or divide but critical stakeholders from all walks of life within and outside the region. The summit had in attendance the President, a former President , Governors, serving and past senators , House of representative members , top politicians , captains of industries, traditional rulers , women , and youth leaders .

The three-day event had plenary, breakout, and technical sessions, and key stakeholders ranging from politicians to business men and women to youth groups had their say on how to move the Niger Delta region forward. The Niger Delta has for a long time been known for several negative reasons, including kidnapping, militancy, and pipeline vandalization. However, in order to sustain the gradually changing narrative of moving the region from "transaction to transformation," critical stakeholders had to sit at a round table to brainstorm and find professional solutions to the region's several challenges.

The theme of the summit was "Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta Region," in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda. From all indications, Mr. President is committed to correcting the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region. The Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in his speech, said, "To achieve lasting solutions, we must overcome disunity. Unity among the people of the Niger Delta and the entire nation is not just a choice but a necessity. Through our shared vision, we can overcome the obstacles before us."

During the summit, former President Goodluck Jonathan noted, "NDDC came as a child of necessity whose strategic role also includes improving the environment, providing infrastructure, and enhancing the livelihood of the people in the region. With the birth of this current leadership of NDDC, people from the Niger Delta have seen some rays of light. Therefore, I encourage the political class not to overstretch the NDDC for them to be able to perform optimally."

Before the event, stakeholders, potential attendees, and onlookers were taken aback by the initiative of the 7th board of the NDDC, as they didn't see an event coming. This is because the MD/CEO of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Ph.D., has a vision of beating the norm, knowing how much is expected of him and the management team of the commission. With the communique read after the event, and Dr. Ogbuku's assurance to participants at the summit that their recommendations would be followed studiously to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region, optimism was high.

**End Note**

With the conclusion of the record-breaking summit, all hands have to be on deck to ensure the Niger Delta region moves into a time of good fortunes, as the region belongs to us all. Chief Samuel Ogbuku-led administration has shown sincerity of purpose with their programs and events since they came on board. The days of sitting on the fence are over. The Niger Delta region belongs to us all, and if the board fails, it means we have all failed because, in one way or another, their performance affects us all. But if they succeed, not only will the region feel the impact, but we will also welcome our "glory days."

Martins Ogolo
Public Affairs Analyst
[email protected]

11/07/2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT AFFIRMING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation's advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

"The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people - especially the poor - will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

"My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today's judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people," President Tinubu states.

President Tinubu notes that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria's true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

The President states that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

July 11, 2024

06/07/2024

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the NDDC is bringing renewed H.O.P.E to Niger Delta Youths .

Ensure you register !

Are you a Niger Deltan between the 18-45 years ?

Are you aware that the main aim of the Holistic Opportunities and Programs for Empowerment (HOPE) by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is to Engage & EMPOWER Niger Delta Youths?

To benefit from PROJECT HOPE kindly register on the Database by Clicking:
https://ndjobsskillsdb.nddc.gov.ng/

This registration will provide access to various opportunities and programs designed to improve skills and create job prospects.

03/07/2024

Governor Siminalayi Fubara's comments as regards the ongoing Rivers State House of Assembly saga .

What are your thoughts?

29/06/2024

Group Slams Northern Youths Over Attack On Amaechi

Concerned Nigerian youths under the aegis of Nigerian Youths For Equity and Justice Forum (NYEJF) have decried the allegations by a faceless Northern group, All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Forum (APC - YLF), alleging the Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, as being a stooge of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

In a social media report by the group, Bello - Kolo, was alleged to have perpetrated wholesale fraud under the protective cover of Amaechi, and urged President Bola Tinubu to sack him.

The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Aminu Usman, accused Bello - Koko, of having escaped prosecution by the anti - graft agency - EFCC through the instrumtality of Amaechi.

But the NYJEF, has debunked and dismissed the wild allegations as borne out of envy, blackmail and clear evil intentions aimed at putting Anaech'is records as one of the best performing ministers in the immediate past former President Muhamadu Buhari's cabinet in bad light.

In a communique made available to Correspondents in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital after their emergency meeting, the Chairman of the forum, Ibrahim Yusuf - Ahmed and secretary, Sambo Idris, described the allegations as "a mere conjecture by idle political jobbers to make some capital gains using the names of Bello - Koko and Amaechi."

The group recalled that Mohammed Bello - Koko, who had previously served in former President Muhamadu Buhari's government as Executive Director of Finance and Adminstration and acting MD, was later affirmed the substantive MD by President Buhari. Subsequently Bello-Koko was also left as MD in the present Adminstration of President Bola Tinubu after other board members were relieved of their appointments.

Under him, the group noted that the MD had brought a lot of innovations in the running and management of the NPA in line with the global best practices, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business in the maritime sub sector of the country's economy.

According to them, it was based on his track record as a technocrat well versed with years of experience as a public service administrator the endeared him to Mr. President to be enlisted as one of the arrowheads in the federal government vision of implementing the administration's 'Renewed Hope Agenda'.

The group, therefore, wondered why such passionate leader with vast experience in public service including in the banking sector, should be labeled as a saboteur.

Part of the communique read: "The threat and Accusations on the MD of Nigeria Port Authority NPA Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko. as being the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi's stooge is unfounded, I'll - informed and seriously orchestrated ploy to tarnish the image of the former Minister of Transportation, who had served the nation with dillegence, patriotism and left meritoriously.

"The former Minister has meritoriously served Nigeria as Minister of Transportation and won several awards to his credit as the best performing Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during Buhari administration.

"He left an indelible marks in his transformational drive to reposition the transportation sector, which his successor is currently consolidating and building on the roadmap for the socio-economic development of the country.

"Therefore, as a patriotic Nigerian, he has paid his dues by sustaining the development paradigm of the country with all amount of passion, and should be well applauded as a statesman, rather than being vilified for sacreficing for his country.

"For those who are calling the MD Mohammed Bello- koko's name, they are only envious of the changes he has put in place since he was appointed as Executive Director of Finance and Administration, and his later appointment as MD in acting capacity and subsequent affirmation as the substantive MD.

"Bello - Koko, is eminently qualified and. merited the position he's occupying today having worked in the banking sector in Nigeria in different high -ranking positions."

The communique, therefore, advised those casting aspersions on leaders to channel their energy and resources into the rebuilding process of the ruling APC at the centre in order to strengthen and reposition it effectively to continue to hold its position as the envy of other opposition political parties in the country.

27/06/2024

Chief Oby Ndukwe ; publisher of " The Beam Newspaper in Port Harcourt, analyzes the current political situation in Rivers State.

~ Arise News

25/02/2024

Hon. Rtr. Ozumonu Gudu:

Beautiful in leadership,
Excellent in humanitarianism,
Caring in Motherhood,
Loving in friendship,
Affectionate in the family...

An influencer of immeasurable impact,
A progressive right winger,
A thoroughbred positivist.

You clocked Golden and became a younger youth with an aura of quintessence and reassuring liveliness in beauty and panache.

May your days be supernaturally blessed.

Happy Birthday Veteran Comrade and. Rotractor-in-Chief.

20/02/2024

Prince Yaya, Media Influencer & Core Progressive:

A true reflection of worthiness , steadfastness, resilience, self-propriety and contentment.

May God grant you extraordinary grace to continue in your life of excellence, perfection and continuous hardwork, which births Glory!

Happy Birthday Our Young Leader!

17/02/2024

IMMINENT MASS HUNGER IN THE LAND .

Songhai World Class Farms, Ogoni Plantain/Banana Farms, Buguma, Ubima Fish Farms, SIAT Oil Palms & Others Conceived By Rotimi Amaechi To Activate Food Exportation from, & Curtail Shortage of Same in Rivers State.

HOW DID WE MANAGE THEM?

13/02/2024

A LIFE WORTHY OF CELEBRATION...

Hon. Barr. Chizzy Enyi:
Leader, Thinker, Lawyer, Critic, Farmer, Analyst, Social And Political Agenda Setter, Activist.
May you continue to enjoy the grace and favour of Heaven. Indeed, you add value to our time.

Happy Birthday To You Leader of the Led!

04/02/2024

Vivian: Rotimi Amaechi's die-hard mobilizer and female champion.

A lady who has refused to be bought over in loyalty and ideology.

May God bless your new age,
May you succeed at all fronts and may you bask in perpetual grace.

Happy Birthday!

02/02/2024