Category: News

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Niger Delta, stressing the need to continually promote the rich traditions of ethnic nationalities across the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during the Niger Delta Arts and Culture Expo in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the cultural event reflects Nigeria’s enduring strength in unity despite its diversity.

The event, with the theme: “Rhythm of the Niger Delta: Music, Dance and the Heartbeat of Our People,” brought together stakeholders and cultural groups from across the region, displaying traditional music, dance, and artistic expressions in a vibrant celebration of heritage and unity.

The NDDC Managing Director, represented by the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the NDDC Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, described the Arts and Culture Expo as a powerful platform to celebrate the region’s rich heritage through music, dance, and indigenous expressions.

He stated: “What we have witnessed today is a clear demonstration that culture remains the soul of our people. It cannot be diminished by technology. The Niger Delta has once again shown its rich, vibrant and beautiful heritage.”

Ogbuku added that the event reinforced the bonds of love, unity, and shared identity among the people of the region, while also showcasing their appreciation for the Commission’s efforts to promote cultural integration.

He noted that the NDDC continued to gain recognition for its developmental strides, including the successful hosting of the second Niger Delta Games in Benin, Edo State, and the completion of projects across the region.

Ogbuku said further: “Our story has changed. Today, the NDDC is receiving commendation at the highest level, including President Bola Tinubu. With continued support, we can assure that the best is yet to come.”

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Ambassador Amaba Ogbuku described the Expo as a powerful reminder of identity and cultural pride.

“Without culture, we are nothing. It defines who we are and reminds us of our heritage wherever we find ourselves in the world,” she said.

She urged participants to embrace unity and uphold the values that bind the people of the Niger Delta together.

Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Culture and Women Affairs at NDDC, Mrs Ahunna Imoni, said the Arts and Culture Expo highlights the region’s uniqueness and diversity.

She noted: “Culture brings us together. It tells our story, reflects our values, and connects us across generations. This event is not just about performances, but about unity, pride, and shared identity.”

The traditional ruler of Oruma Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Pere John Tacha Abara, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for providing relief materials to alleviate the pains of flood victims in the area.

The Monarch, who spoke during the distribution of relief materials in his domain, noted that the impact of NDDC in his community and the entire Niger Delta region was laudable, describing NDDC’s intervention as capable of reducing hunger in the community.
He stated: “We are indeed excited with the relief materials that have been sent to our community. It shows that NDDC recognises that the Oruma community is a flood-prone area.

“What the NDDC has been doing for our community and the entire region is enormous, and it shows that the Commission is working in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasises the need to address food insecurity in the country.”

The royal father called on his subjects and the people of the Niger Delta region to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 because of his outstanding performance in rural communities.
He allayed fears of possible hijacking of the relief packages, stating that the items would be equitably distributed to the people.

The NDDC Managing Director, who was represented by a Director in the Directorate of Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejoloni, observed that the decision to intervene in the flood-ravaged communities was driven by the Commission’s concern for the people.

He added that the commission’s intervention has cut across several aspects of development in the region and enjoined the people to remain law-abiding, noting that development could only take place in a rancour-free environment.

The Consultant for the programme, Mrs Egondu Esinwoke-Ogbalor, explained that the high population density and the extent of damage suffered by the people were among the factors considered before the intervention to ameliorate the situation and avert insecurity and youth restiveness.

She added that the Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace and Development was also sensitising the people on possible flooding within the year.
She reiterated that the NDDC, in partnership with her Foundation, was determined to extend the same gesture to other communities affected by natural disasters.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has re-emphasised the importance of strategic collaborations through the Public-Private Partnerships, PPP, arrangement to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during a meeting with the Management of Ibom Air, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr George Uriesi, at their headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ogbuku led a delegation that included the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde; the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Pastor Abasiandikan Nkono; and other Directors of the Commission.

The NDDC boss observed that the engagement was part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Public-Private Partnerships that pave the way for landmark infrastructure projects and boost investor confidence.

He stressed that collaboration would expedite the growth and development of the Niger Delta region, noting that the NDDC was partnering with the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the 70.75 km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ogbuku recalled that the partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and the NDDC facilitated the construction of the 25.7 km Ogbia-Nembe Road. He added that the Commission was currently collaborating with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, on the construction of the Okrika-Borikiri road and bridges project, the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge, and the Bonny Ring Road.

The NDDC Managing Director stressed the importance of aligning efforts between the government, NDDC, and the private sector through collaborative planning to effectively transform transit traffic into sustainable economic growth for the Niger Delta region.

He remarked that through strategic partnerships, the NDDC would create a thriving economic environment that benefits the local communities and attracts further investment in the region.

“As we prioritise local content by engaging indigenous contractors and promoting diversified investments, we can significantly enhance the economic impact in our area,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, described the partnerships as one of the airline’s strategies for development through impactful initiatives.

He underscored the benefits of establishing a regional aviation hub that could not only enhance transportation but also stimulate tourism and business activities in the Niger Delta region.

The Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, has donated relief materials to the people of Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in response to the periodic flood that usually leads to the loss of life, farmland, and other economic assets.

Presenting the palliative materials, the Managing Director of NDDC, represented by the Director, Education, Health and Social Services, Dr Patience Ezugu, said the gesture was in line with the Commission’s determination to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of Ayakoro community and the Niger Delta region.

He stated: “As we come together for the donation and distribution of food items and essential household materials to the people of Ayakoro community, which is one of the many demonstrations of NDDC’s commitments to improving the lives of the people, we will continue to empower communities, promote and drive sustainable development across the region.”

Ogbuku, who reiterated that the mandate to develop the region was driven by the reality of environmental pollution, ecological degradation, and other indicators of underdevelopment, assured that the interventionist agency would not rest on its oars in implementing impactful projects in the zone.

In his goodwill message, the Acting paramount ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom , King Micah Itekesi, who spoke through a community representative, Pastor ThankGod Expenses, commended the NDDC for coming to the aid of victims of the flood disaster.

He remarked, “Today is a great day for the people of Ayakoro community. We have never seen a commission like this, nor did we expect the huge palliatives donated by NDDC Management, under the leadership of Chief Samuel Ogbuku, to alleviate the sufferings of our community. We want to sincerely thank the commission for its timely intervention”

He assured that the relief packages would be fairly and equitably distributed among the various compounds in the community.

Also speaking, the Consultant for the programme, Dr Daniel George Smile, said Ayakoro was selected among the communities hit by the flood because of the flood’s serious impact and the community’s poor economic condition. He, however, said efforts are underway to review the other areas ravaged by the recent flood for intervention.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has expressed its willingness to collaborate with a Nigerian music ambassador, Mr Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, to drive development in his hometown of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State and across the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the music icon to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate to develop the Niger Delta region.

He assured that the Commission would construct the road leading to the artiste’s community and implement other developmental projects, as directed by the President, to improve living conditions across the region.

Ogbuku advised the music star to use his global influence to develop the Niger Delta by investing in the region and hosting events in Port Harcourt, noting that such initiatives would boost the local economy. He emphasised the need for Burna Boy to serve as a worthy ambassador for the Niger Delta and a source of inspiration for the younger generation, adding that his music resonates with diverse audiences.

He stated, “I am happy that you came to identify with the Commission. If not for the fact that you know that NDDC provides succour, you would not have come. We have heard your request, and we need to partner because this relationship will be symbiotic. Let us not run away from our region; bring your popularity home so that the Niger Delta can benefit from your personality.”

Ogbuku further described Burna Boy as one of the biggest assets from the Niger Delta, stressing that his success should translate into broader prosperity for the region. He assured that the Commission was willing to partner with the artist in his activities and ensure that development reached his community and other parts of the Niger Delta.

In his remarks, Burna Boy reiterated his commitment to developing his hometown and expressed confidence that collaboration with the NDDC would bring much-needed transformation to the area.

He sought the Commission’s intervention to address critical infrastructure deficits in his community, including the lack of access roads, healthcare facilities, and potable water. He explained that his visit with his team was to partner with the Commission to advance sustainable development in the area.

Also speaking, his father, Mr. Samuel Ogulu, commended the NDDC leadership for its ongoing efforts to transform the Niger Delta region and expressed appreciation to the Managing Director for his proactive approach to development.

Present at the courtesy visit were the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde; and other Directors of the Commission.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has called on stakeholders and the private sector to attract investments back to the Niger Delta region, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved through collective commitment and strategic partnerships.

Speaking at the Niger Delta Business Roundtable organised by the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku stated that the current leadership of the Commission was determined to change the narrative by transitioning from transactional engagements to transformational development.

He said: “When we assumed office, there were numerous unfinished projects, but we have taken deliberate steps to complete them. We are encouraged by the assurance of Mr President of a stable four-year tenure, which places a moral responsibility on us to deliver results.”

The NDDC boss emphasised that the region must unite to address its shared challenges, particularly insecurity, which has driven urban migration and slowed economic growth.

He noted that addressing power supply challenges and curbing criminality informed the Commission’s “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative.

Highlighting ongoing and completed projects, Ogbuku listed key interventions such as the Okitipupa electrification project in Ondo State; the Ogbia–Nembe Road and Bridge; the Okrika road and bridge project; the Kaa–Ataba Road and Bridge; the Bonny Ring Road and the Regional Hospitals in Rivers and Cross River states.

He also disclosed ongoing collaboration with the Delta State Government on the 70.75-kilometre Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road and Bridges project.

The Managing Director further noted that the Commission had intensified its human capital development programmes, including training 500 youths in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and creating a database to match beneficiaries with future opportunities based on competence.

Ogbuku acknowledged that past challenges, including frequent leadership changes, contributed to abandoned projects and to the erosion of public confidence in the Commission. He, however, assured stakeholders that stability under the current administration would restore trust and improve performance.

He disclosed that the establishment of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture was intended to insulate the Commission from political pressures while supporting businesses in the region.

Calling on the private sector to take a leading role, he said: “The government provides infrastructure, but it is the private sector that drives business growth. The Niger Delta is peaceful and offers a viable platform for investments.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, commended the NDCCITMA for organising the Niger Delta Business Roundtable and appreciated the efforts of beneficiaries who had repaid their loans.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, revealed that about 13,000 applicants had applied for loans, with over 3,000 businesses benefiting from the scheme, many of whom have begun repaying. He urged participants to harness the region’s vast economic opportunities and contribute innovative ideas for prosperity.
In his remarks, the Board Secretary, Dr Solomon Edebiri, traced the evolution of the Chamber, noting that it had begun making significant impacts within a short period. He highlighted the region’s strengths in agriculture and the blue economy, stressing the need to diversify beyond oil and gas.
Edebiri pointed out the disparity in export capacity between Lagos and Port Harcourt, noting that while Lagos accounts for about $200 million in exports, Port Harcourt records significantly lower figures. He said the roundtable was designed to unlock business opportunities and address economic challenges in the region.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Simbi Kesiye Wabote emphasised the need for a new development agenda driven by strategic planning and regional collaboration. He observed that although the Niger Delta contributes about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s earnings, the level of infrastructure and per capita income does not reflect this contribution.

Wabote called for the implementation of a Regional Master Plan, stressing that past development efforts were largely influenced by politics rather than sustainability. He urged stakeholders to build strong business institutions, set measurable targets, and foster synergy among the Niger Delta states to achieve long-term economic growth.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
March 19, 2026.

A total of 500 youths from the nine states of the Niger Delta region have graduated after a six-week training programme on Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, Autogas Conversion, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that CNG was a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to conventional fuel.

He declared, “We want to make the Niger Delta the hub of engine conversion, which can also be outsourced to other parts of Nigeria. We are taking that bold initiative that will engage most of our youths.”

“We understand the challenges facing our youth, such as unemployment, limited access to skills training and economic uncertainty. The NDDC remains committed to turning those challenges into opportunities,” he said.

The NDDC boss noted that implementing the CNG policy would create jobs and enable local technology transfer for youths and women by supporting auto manufacturing, retrofitting, conversions and production infrastructure.

He said further: “The more we train our youths in energy conversion facilities, the more youths we train to make them gainfully employed and financially independent. We want to make the Niger Delta the hub of CNG technicians in the country.”

Ogbuku recalled that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI, and the NDDC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the implementation of the CNG policy in the Niger Delta region.

In his goodwill message, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, commended the NDDC for keying into the CNG initiative, noting that his state was also working on the programme.

The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, observed that the CNG initiative would help transform the Niger Delta region.

He remarked that the Niger Delta had long been the backbone of Nigeria’s energy economy, noting that the future of energy was evolving. The global shift toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions presents new opportunities.

Also speaking, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, noted that the Commission was created with a vision to facilitate the rapid, sustainable development of the region into an economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful area.

According to him, the training, which was organised in two batches of three weeks each, was designed to equip participants with practical skills in CNG vehicle conversion, system maintenance, and safety standards, in line with global best practices.

Antai highlighted some of the benefits of the CNG initiative, including the development of a more reliable and sustainable transportation sector, which would directly stimulate economic growth through job creation and increased demand for autogas specialists, thereby further reducing harmful emissions in line with NDDC’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.

In his own remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, said the Presidential Initiative on CNG fully manifested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of leveraging Nigeria’s gas resources.

He noted that the CNG Initiative was a component of the Federal Government’s intervention to provide succour to Nigerians.

From his perspective, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, commended the NDDC for its forward-looking approach and alignment with the Federal Government’s vision for clean energy. He described the initiative as futuristic and praised the Commission for advancing the CNG agenda in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking in the same vein, the Technical Assistant, Presidential CNG Initiative, Omoh Imuokhuede, stated that the Presidential initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric vehicles is a flagship programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria, launched in 2023 under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Training Consultant, Mr Tunde Rena, highlighted the gains from embracing CNG, noting that the initiative would stimulate investment in Nigeria’s abundant gas market, develop sustainable local gas markets, and grow the economy while expanding the government’s revenue base.

He observed that as Nigeria expands the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can convert petrol and diesel vehicles to CNG, maintain systems, and manage related technologies. This is where the CNG Conversion Training Programme becomes critical.

The NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, affirmed that the CNG training was in line with the NDDC’s mandate to build human capacity and enhance Skills Development in the Niger Delta Region.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
March 18, 2026.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has lauded the current Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for its support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies operating in the region.

Air Marshal Aneke, who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, highlighted some of the development projects the Commission had executed to assist the security agencies.

He said: “Let me seize this opportunity to commend the NDDC for its support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for its unflinching support to us. We can see the good work you are putting in, such as the provision and installation of solar lights, the provision of 713 solar inverters, which have helped enhance safety and operational efficiency in the region, and the donation of a multi-purpose facility to the Nigerian Air Force at Kolo-Otuoke, Bayelsa State. In that facility, we now have one of the Administrative and Management Schools, the physical education, skills acquisition centre and a host of other centres which were deliberately drafted from Kaduna State as a mark of appreciation to the commission’s efforts”

Air Marshal Aneke observed that the objectives of the NDDC, anchored on providing socio-economic development for the Niger Delta region, were in tandem with the strategic duties of the Nigerian Air Force of providing a secure environment for national growth and development, noting that the learning centre would provide opportunities for the Nigerians, foreigners and interested members of staff of the Commission.

He appealed to the NDDC board to consider rehabilitating and equipping the Internally Displaced Persons IDP centres with reliable modern systems to serve as a training hub.

The Chief of Air Staff, who said that the Nigerian Air Force is committed to a long-lasting partnership capable of promoting peace and stability, sought NDDC’s intervention to provide accommodation for its staff serving in Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Benin, Asaba and Warri.

Responding, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that, as an interventionist agency, the Commission was always prepared to partner with both private and public organs in areas of development, especially in security.

He remarked, “Terrorism is like a virus, and if not curtailed, will spread to other parts of the country. But I want to commend you because, since you assumed office, you have risen to the challenges posed by insecurity. So, what we do here in the Niger Delta is to support you, because there can be no development without peace, and we need this collaboration. It is a collective task between us and the security agencies, and we are ready to support you because the President wants peace in this part of the country.

“All we expect is for you to maximise the benefits, the same way we have taken development to the nooks and crannies when we started the ‘Operation light up the Niger Delta’, where almost every community has been lit up, which has drastically reduced militancy and criminality and helped in the area of commerce.

Ogbuku commended the Nigerian Air Force for maintaining the facilities donated to it over the years, and appreciated the security agency for extending its gesture of allowing staff of the Commission to participate in the new School of Administration and Management relocated from Kaduna State to the region, as a way of enhancing staff training.

He assured that the partnership between the Commission and the Nigerian Air Force would stand the test of time.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
March 6, 2026.