Niger Delta
NDDC Has Been Repositioned To Inspire Hope -Ogbuku
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said that the commission has been repositioned to bring about the much needed growth and development to inspire hope in the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku said the NDDC is now largely focusing on sustainable partnerships in manpower and infrastructural development, with a short, medium and long term plan.
The NDDC MD gave this assurance on Wednesday while addressing the Chairman of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum and Convener of Niger Delta Young Professionals, Moses Siloko Siasia, and members of his team during a meeting in his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He disclosed that the commission has floated an initiative tagged, ‘Project Hope’, as part of its strategic arrangement to create job opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku explained that ‘Project Hope’ will focus on agriculture and tech hubs for young people, with the deliberate aim of providing sustainable means of livelihood for them.
“We have a new thinking and a new way of doing things. We are moving away from the past because times are changing and we need to catch up.
“Our deliberate and strategic plans are geared towards sustainable development. We are committed to ensure that we build the capacity of our youths in areas that they can have comparative advantage.
“We have set up what we call Project Hope. This initiative that is focused on tech hubs and agriculture. It will take our youths out of poverty and help to create sustainable livelihood. They will be their own bosses and also employers of labour,” he said.
The NDDC boss explained further that the commission is building a database of youths in the region to aide its planning and manpower development.
The comprehensive database, he said, would enable the NDDC appropriate its empowerment scheme.
On innovative plans to change its operations, Ogbuku said the commission had engaged KPMG to develop an Internal Corporate Governance System.
While decrying the number of abandoned projects in the region, he said the NDDC was partnering with state governments in the Niger Delta, individuals and institutions to maximize its developmental agenda.
“The partnership will enhance the quick delivery of critical infrastructure in the region”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Siasia had lauded the NDDC boss on the massive reforms he had embarked on, which according to him, have made the commission more result-oriented.
Siasia said they were in the NDDC office on a familiarization visit to congratulate Ogbuku on his appointment, adding that they have no doubt in his capacity to deliver on his job.
He described the NDDC’s new thinking and vision as a product of purposeful leadership under Ogbuku and called for support from people of the region for him to succeed.
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The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.
John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.
She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.
According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.
“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.
”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.
John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.
“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.
As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.
Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.
Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.
Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.
Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.
She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.
According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.
“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.
Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.
Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.
He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.
On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.
Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.
Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.
She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.
The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.
“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.
“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.
“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.
The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge
In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.
He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.
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