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Abandoned Projects: Prosecute Culpable NDDC Officials Contractors Others-FG

Published

5 years ago

September 12, 2020

Indigenes and residents of the oil-rich Niger Delta region, as well as stakeholders and civil society organizations, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration not to stop at forensic auditing of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), but prosecute officials and contractors found culpable.

The call was made Friday during a Radio Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption, organized by Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG), with the support from the MACARTHUR FOUNDATION.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the forensic audit of the troubled Commission, following massive corruption allegations since the establishment of NDDC.

According to Darlington Nwauju, a resident of the Woji community in Rivers State said the history of abandoned projects dates back from 1961 to date, urging the federal government to ensure that adequate punishment is meted out on NDDC contractors who would be found wanting.

“I believe that merely asking contractors to go back to the site will be a disservice to the people of the region.”

A Human Rights lawyer, Frank Tietie, however, blamed the rate of abandoned projects on criminal collusion by people of the region who are unfortunately running the affairs of NDDC. He said Niger Delta people have become their own enemies, while also advising the federal government to take advantage of the forensic auditing to expose corrupt individuals who are part of the years of rot in NDDC.

Earlier in the meeting, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, through a recorded message urged President Buhari to revoke the shoreline protection project in Koko, Warri North Local Council, Delta State, saying it was shabbily executed.

His words: “This is no job at all, I feel bad that such a shoddy is done in my community. Koko is a very special place in my kingdom, there is the Nigerian Ports Authority and world-class museum here, so everybody from the whole world comes here because of the strategic location and this is the only road leading to the community.

“That was why they said to let them construct shoreline protection to protect the community but this cannot stand the test of time.

“I have seen shoreline protection but haven’t seen anything like this. This job should be terminated and a good contractor should be gotten to do a good job or should let the contractor know that this job is unacceptable.

“Tell Mr. President we appreciate and thank him for this job but it is unacceptable,” he stated.

According to Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener of Say No Campaign, NDDC cannot boast of completing and equipping a single hospital in the region since establishment, adding that prosecution of contractors will discourage the ugly state of affairs. He charged the people of the region to get involved in projects being executed in their communities.

Umuakpo Oviemuno from Isoko North, Delta State, added that in his community, a road awarded over 10 years at an initial cost of N3.5bn has unfortunately remained uncompleted.

Activist, Orugbo Ogisaman who hails from Bayelsa State said road projects have been abandoned for over 12 years by NDDC in his community, including a shoreline protection project. “The shoreline protection has only attained 20% completion after 7 years,” Ogisaman said.

Barrister Okwong Otiotio, from Akwa Ibom State, also lent his voice to the rot in NDDC, stressing that his community was not left as uncompleted projects are littered all over the State.

The moderator of the meeting, Felix Akugha added the testaments were worrisome but unfortunately true.

The meeting which drew the attention of concerned Nigerians, civil society organisations, and journalists across the country, was supported by the MACARTHUR FOUNDATION.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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