News

Why NDDC Is Still Relevant – Envoy

Published

15 years ago

December 6, 2010

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr Adebowale Adefuye, has defended the continued existence of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) even after the creation of Niger Delta Ministry.

Late President Umaru Yar’Adua announced the creation of the Niger Delta Ministry on September 10, 2008 to deal with the problems of the oil-rich region.

Adefuye was responding to accusations during the 2010 Achebe Colloquium on Africa last Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, that the government was duplicating efforts with the continued existence of the Commission.

The Ambassador and Mr Isidore Udoh, an official of the Niger Delta World Congress, argued on the relevance of the Commission during a panel discussion on the Niger Delta crisis at the colloquium.

“The government doesn’t need to fold up the NDDC. Just like every other ministry, the Niger Delta Ministry has extra-ministerial agencies attached to it.

Adefuye said that many countries, including the US had expressed interest to partner with Nigeria in the development of the region, which accounts for the country’s huge crude oil reserves.

He said Nigeria was willing to enter into bilateral treaties with other nations on the Niger Delta, in addition to strengthening the existing US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, “which has the region as one of its mutual area of cooperation”.

Udoh had called for the Commission to be merged with the ministry, saying that its functions were a duplication of those of the Niger Delta Ministry and a waste of resources.

“Recently, three members of the NDDC were suspended for financial impropriety. I believe that the NDDC is not serving any significant purpose in the Niger Delta.

“So, the NDDC can be merged with the Ministry of the Niger Delta and the grand process that I am proposing could be managed from that central ministry. We cannot have two parallel instruments that are serving the same purpose,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, who was also at the colloquium, says there is no truth in the allegation that Managing Director of NDDC, Chibuzor Ugwuoha transferred $30 million dollars in the Commission’s offshore account to his private account in the United Kingdom.

Amaechi was responding to a question from a participant who alleged that Ugwuoha, who was the governor’s nominee to the position, was involved in the illegal transfer of fund.

“Ugwuoha did not transfer $30 million dollars to his private pocket or private account. No. Please verify. Always verify,” he said.

“It is his responsibility to open an account but to do that he needs the board’s resolution.

“But don’t forget that I am not his boss; he reports to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so I am not responsible to ask him any question,” Amaechi said.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.