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Youths give Wike seven 7 days ultimatum to reopen NDDC office in Rivers

Published

6 years ago

May 2, 2019

Irate youths of the Niger Delta states have given Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state seven days ultimatum to unseal the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission situated along Aba road in Port Harcourt.

The youths drawn from the nine states of the oil rich region asked the governor to reopen the commission’s office within the period of the ultimatum or face stiff and sustainable protests and unrests from them.

They spoke under the aegis of the Consolidated Youths of Niger Delta (CYN)led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Frank Naday.

Naday, who addressed newsmen after their emergency meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, explained that the office was sealed about a week ago over non remittances of revenues by the government of Rivers state

“From our findings and the information made available to us, it is clear that the Commission has paid the backlogs of revenues it owes the Rivers State Government.

“We want to ask Rivers State Government to as a matter of urgency, unseal the Commission’s office complex to enable workers gain access to their various offices.

“Niger Delta Development Commission is bigger than Rivers State because it covers the Niger Delta region and not Rivers alone

”We are aware that Rivers State Government is trying so hard to play Politics with the Commission because the system feels threatened that Prof Nelson Brambaifa-led administration at NDDC is doing tremendously well”

The youths, who expressed worry that their efforts at addressing their plights through the Federal Government agency were being thwarted by the government of Rivers state, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to intervene as the prevailing peace in the region maybe truncated. .

“In a couple of months that the new leaders assumed office, they have been able to pay contractors and return them back to sites, they have addressed the problem of water hyacinths too.

“It is also on record that the students studying abroad in various Universities in United Kingdom, have received their stipends and their schools have also been taken care of by the Commission.

“The rate of construction in Niger Delta region is really on the increase as almost all the states in the region are experiencing massive road construction”, he stressed.

Besides, Naday disclosed that “the Niger Delta Development Commission led by Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has electrified a lot of communities in the Niger Delta region and has also given them water project to enable them have good water”.

Speaking further, Naday said: “We condemn the actions of Rivers state government in its entirety. We urge the state Government to leave NDDC alone because shutting the office down, is doing more harm than good

“Imagine where thousands of youth that are employed by the various contractors are shut out because of the shutdown of the Commission. It will lead them to various criminal activities in order to make earns meet”,

He, therefore, impressed it on President Buhari to work towards the confirmation of Prof. Brambraifa, as the substantive MD of the NDDC, noting that “he is the first among his predecessors who is not suing the agency as a spring board to aspire to any elective political office”

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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