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PANDEF calls for inauguration of a board for NDDC

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2021

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has given the Federal Government a one-week ultimatum to inaugurate a board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Leader of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Clark, an highly respected elder statesman in the Niger Delta region said the inauguration of a board for the commission was critical in the interest of the people of the region.

Speaking on who becomes the commission`s board chairman, the elder statesman said there was no need for the perceived power tussle, adding that the best man should be given the job.

“The two persons involved are from my state and are my children, but all am interested in, is for a board to be inaugurated for the commission.

“And this should be done within the next one week, ‘’he said, adding that his desire was to see the better person for the job appointed.

Clark added that the inauguration of a new board for the commission was critical to enable it realise its mandate of impacting positively on the lives of the people of the region.

Speaking on the commission`s forensic audit initiated by Dr Cairo Ojougboh to audit the commission`s past records and verify projects before payments were made, Clark expressed hope that a new board would deliver a more acceptable audit.

He noted that the forensic audit which did not go down well with fraudulent contractors and some power brokers in the state had gulped so many monies.

Ojougboh who is the immediate past Executive Director of Project of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) hails from Ika South of Delta and he is a trained medical doctor and former member of the House of Representatives.

He graduated from the University of Benin with a Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) in the1985 and contested the Delta governorship election in 2019.

He was a Presidential Liaison Officer to the President on National Assembly (NASS) and Special Assistant to the President on NASS between

2007 – 2011.

Ojougboh was also the Chairman, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Presidential Spokesman APC, Presidential Campaign Council Delta.

He was a member of the Ad hoc Committee on EFCC Recoveries and a member of the House Committee on Power, House Committee on Ethnic and Privileges and the House Committee on Industries.

Most Delta Stakeholders who spoke to the NAN believed that Ojougboh is the best man for the post of the NDDC Board Chairman.

His preference they said stemmed from the fact that he is a no nonsense man with the capacity and ability to turn the commission around for good for the people of Niger Delta.

Notable stakeholders in the region are in agreement on the choice of Ojougboh, especially as they believe that the position should be spread.

A member of the Senate leadership who preferred to remain anonymous, however, said that the Senate would consider any nominee of the presidency based on merit.

The source recalled that Ojougboh’s name was earlier presented by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs at a stakeholders meeting as the preferred choice for the position.

This, the source said was applauded as there was no descanting voice.

The source said it was however surprising that the minister consequently submitted the names of Ojougboh and Bernard Okumagba to the Senate.

This, he said, may have been done out of some pressure on the minister by a high ranking Senator from Delta who was bent on forcing his choice of candidate on the people of Niger Delta.

The source wondered why the people of the region would not be allowed to have their choice candidate as was the case in board appointments.

The source said that while the presidency was waiting for the conclusion of the forensic audit on the commission before constituting a board for it, most auditors see the exercise as a scam and a lost cost.

The people of the region believe that it was only a properly constituted board that could initiate the process that would deliver an acceptable forensic audit of the commission.

They said the forensic audit was a scam and that they could therefore not wait for it to be completed before a board was constituted for the commission.

The position of Executive Chairman of the NDDC had been a subject of much debate. A compromise was reached where the position would be rotated within the nine oil producing states in alphabetical order: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross river, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

But the board has not been constituted since January 2020 when the previous board was disbanded to allow forensic investigation.

On June 10, the House of Representatives asked President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The lawmaker urged the government to comply with sections 4 and 12 (1) of the NDDC Act, by appointing Chairman of the commission from Delta State, Managing Director from Ondo State and Executive Director, Finance and Administration from Edo State.

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NASENI, Foundation Mobilise Youths for Innovation, Global Competitiveness

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has urged Nigerian youths to move beyond consuming technology to becoming creators, innovators and inventors capable of competing on the global stage.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu gave the charge at the 2026 Emerging Youth Leaders Summit, hosted by Gracelink Foundation in Abuja on Monday.The summit which featured no fewer than 1000 young Nigerians, was titled,” Rise, Build, Become”.

The summit is designed to facilitate learning, mentorship and inspiration for youths through engagements with accomplished Nigerians.Halilu Represented by the agency’s acting Director, Research and Laboratory Development, Dr Bakare Hassan, urged the youths to take advantage of NASENI’s Science Kits for Secondary Schools Programme to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology.

According to him, Nigeria’s future depends on the country’s ability to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, technology and opportunities to solve national challenges.“We want our young people to grow from being consumers of technology into creators, innovators, and inventors who can compete globally.

“We are creating opportunities for young Nigerian innovators to access funding, mentorship, and the support needed to transform promising ideas into viable products and businesses.

“You do not have to wait until you occupy a position of authority before you begin to make a difference. Start by identifying a problem around you, ask questions, learn new skills, collaborate with others, and develop solutions.

“Leadership is not merely about the position you occupy; it is about the problems you solve and the positive impact you make.

“Our message to every young girl is simple; your gender should never limit your ambition, creativity, or contribution to national development.”

The executive vice chairman called on the GraceLink foundation, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and young innovators to collaborate with NASENI in advancing science education, engineering development, and entrepreneurship.

In her remarks, the President of GraceLink foundation, Mrs Obioma Levi-Johnson called on the Federal Government to introduce leadership education and mentorship programmes in schools to prepare young Nigerians for future leadership roles.

Levi-Johnson said leadership development should begin in the classroom, emphasising the need to equip teachers with the resources and skills required to nurture responsible and value-driven young people.

According to her, leadership goes beyond occupying political offices; young people can become leaders in various fields, including medicine, engineering, technology and other professions.

“Leadership is not only being the president or being in the senate or even being a governor in the state. Leadership goes beyond that. People can lead in different industries.”

She said that summit was designed to inspire teenagers aged between 13 and 18 through interactions with professionals, innovators and other accomplished individuals.

She noted that mentorship was a critical component of youth development, saying that guidance from experienced professionals could help young people to make informed career choices and avoid mistakes.

The Chairman of the Gracelink foundation, Mr Samuel Ekweghariri, urged youths to assess political candidates based on track records, performance and ability to address societal challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that young Nigerian youths must resist monetary inducements and other considerations that could undermine their ability to make informed electoral choices, stressing the need to prioritise candidates with proven records of creating value.

“As we move into the electoral season, I will like young Nigerians to think of what they want to be in five or 10 years because the decisions that our government makes today will impact and affect that future,” he said.

Ekweghariri advised voters against supporting candidates merely because of their appearance, campaign promises or inducement.

The chairman also advised the electorate to examine candidate’s previous performances and contributions to society.

According to him, voters should consider whether candidates have demonstrated the capacity to address existing challenges and provide solutions to emerging needs.

“You do not vote because of how somebody looks or what somebody has said. You vote because of the knowledge you have about their track record and the value they have created in their previous positions or careers.”

Ekweghariri explained that the quality of political leadership had implications for the country’s technological development, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

He said that emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) required reliable electricity and affordable internet connectivity.

He also said voters should therefore consider candidates’ commitment to providing essential infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for innovation and economic growth.

The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s science, engineering and technology ecosystem by identifying innovators early and creating pathways for their ideas to progress from prototypes towards funding, development and eventual commercialisation.

The event was attended by the Managing Director of AEDC, Mr Chijioke Okwuokenye, the Africa Regional Lead, HealthLearn, Dr Obinna Ebirim, the Co-Founder, Buypower Inc., Mr Oladipo Asehinde, the Founder, DVIPC Academy, Ms Onyekachi Eriobu-Aniede, among others

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