Etim EtimStakeholders, leaders and politicians across the Niger Delta region have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for constituting the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) four years after the last Board was disbanded.
They are also grateful to the President for the appointment of Mr. Umana Umana as the Minister of the Niger Delta.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a letter dated January 7, 2023, the South-South Zonal Secretary of APC, Dr. Ita Udosen said that the party is grateful to the President ‘’for living up to your avowed promise of constituting and inaugurating a substantive Board of NDDC after the forensic audit exercise.’’ The APC Zonal Secretary is particularly pleased that the Board is made up of ‘’Nigerians of impeccable character proven integrity and requisite public service experience.’’
READ ALSO: Buhari Seeks Confirmation Of Lauretta Onochie As NDDC Board Chairman
A banker and financial consultant, Mr. Patrick Osadebe, on his part said that by composing the new board, the President has fulfilled his responsibility according to the NDDC Act, and advised that the Board and management of the commission should perform creditably well to help develop the region.
He said: ‘’Our region is in dire need of development in many areas, especially in infrastructure, job creation and poverty alleviation. I implore that NDDC should spend its resources in these areas.’’
Dr. Uduak Umoh, a computer scientist and university don, noted that ‘’with Lady Lauretta Onochie as Chairperson of the Board, I believe that positive change is coming to NDDC and the region as a whole.’’ Dr. Umoh remarked that “Onochie has a reputation that goes ahead of her and I think she would do her best not to soil her solid pedigree.’’
A prominent citizen of the region and a well-known journalist and university teacher, Prof. G. G. Darah also commended the President for selecting persons of credible pedigree as members of the Board. He said that the Board members should go back to original masterplan of the commission and correct the mistakes of the past. Chief Victor Edos, a prominent Benin-based business man and politician, also spoke in the same vein and enjoined the new board to live above board and excel in their areas of responsibilities.
The new board is made up of Lady Lauretta Onochie, as Board Chairman; Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director; Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), Director of Finance and Administration; Mr. Charles Ogunmola, Director of Projects in addition to other State and Zonal Representatives like Dimgba Erugba (Abia), Emem Wills (Akwa Ibom), Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa), Orok Duke (Cross River), Gbenga Edema (Ondo), Elekwachi Dimkpa (Rivers), Mohammed Abubakar (North-Central), Sule-Iko Sani (North-West) and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN (North-East).
Etim Etim
ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.
He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".
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