Tinubu Extols NDDC MD, Ogbuku at 50

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has extolled the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for attaining the golden age of 50.

The President also said the focus of his administration on transparency and accountability, as well as resources in the investment of infrastructure and human capital, empowering communities at the grassroots for a sustainable future, would leverage on its rich resources of land and water.

Represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Wale Edun, the President said the Niger Delta region has experienced great transformation under the leadership of Ogbuku.

He charged the celebrant to continue to champion the transformation of the Commission as an agency delivering projects that touches lives and empower youths.

According to him, “Niger Delta region more than a region. It is the economic heartbeat of this country, and it’s central to the energy and environmental future. For decades, the story has been difficult.

“It has been complex, very rich in resources on land and water, but serious challenges all the way.

“Mr. President’s reforms focus on transparency and accountability, resources, the investment in infrastructure and human capital, and of course, empowering communities at the grassroots so they can have a sustainable future.

“When we reflect on the Niger Delta, it’s more than a region, and earlier, we had a history of development in the Niger Delta, way back to colonial times.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, recounted his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and asserted that based on the scandals that rocked the NDDC at the time, managing the region is not a tea party.

He said: “It’s not easy to manage Niger Delta at all. It’s not easy to manage the NDDC.

“NDDC was a place where contracts were given in hotels, where people would sit down and write names of creeks and names of rivers, and then they would come for payments.

“Some of them never even visited the rivers, but the papers were all complete and so, for us to come and celebrate you today, we are not celebrating just mere celebration, we are celebrating God’s goodness to the good people of Niger Delta through the management of NDDC.

“I’m here to represent the National Assembly and to say that we are very proud of you. We are very proud of what you are doing.”

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Speaker- Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, described Ogbuku in a goodwill message as a visionary leader who has transformed the image of NDDC.

He said, “Today, we are not just celebrating a milestones but we are also celebrating a man who has seriously contributed to the development of the Niger Delta region, on behalf of the Governor I want to sincerely appreciate you for all you have done in the region, we applaud your landmark achievements, your visionary leadership style, which are very laudable and the testimonies everywhere both the public and the NDDC, your achievements are very loud.

“You are being described as a man who is very open to the youth, elderly, a man who is hardworking, decent, and we are very happy to have somebody who recognises the progress of the Niger Delta region, and today we are very happy that you are celebrating your 50th birthday and book launch.

“The Bayelsa State Government is working closely with the Commission, and despite the challenges you have faced you are working dedicatedly, and within this period you have led NDDC we have seen a lot of projects littered across the Niger Delta region, and we are grateful and reaffirms to work with you as the leader of NDDC, members of the board and other stakeholders to ensure that we build a working region.”

The celebrant, in an emotion laden voice while recalling how he grew up and his political travails and where he is today, said his parents, and political mentors were behind his success.

He commended his parents for believing in him and for instilling the best of training and discipline which he has journeyed with through life till the age of 50.
He promised to give his best to ensure holistic development of the Niger Delta region while specially thanking the Tinubu for giving him the opportunity and support to impact positively the lives of the people of the region.

He appealed to the Governors of the Niger Delta to synergise with the Commission to seamlessly transform the lives of the people in the region.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Ayedayiwa; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timpre Sylver; Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Dr Godknows Igali and former Chairman, NDDC, Timi Alaibe.