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Send Relief Materials To Flood Victims In N’Delta, NDDC, MNDA Urged
A pro-development Niger Delta group, the Niger Delta Network has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to make available relief materials for flood victims in the region.
In a communique issued at its enlarged meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Sunday, and signed by its Acting Secretary General and Director of Public Communications, Barrister Eric Igbinokpogie and Dr. John Douglas, respectively, the group said that as an interventionist agency and its supervising government agency, both the NDDC and MNDA, respectively should ensure the setting up of proper camps for internally displaced persons.
The meeting, which deliberated on the state of the region and effort on the part of government at ameliorating the sufferings of the people of the Niger Delta, also had the group urging critical stakeholders in the region to give maximum support and cooperation to the NDDC and its supervising ministry towards the speedy actualisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the region.
The group through the communique, urged the president to constitute without further delay, a substantive board of the NDDC in accordance with its enabling Act, while also appreciating him for “his determination to develop the Niger Delta region”.
The communique hinted that findings done through its recent assessment tours to NDDC projects have revealed a number of projects that it said could be completed within the remaining days of the Buhari administration, adding that those projects, when completed, would positively impact the economy of the region and its citizens.
While congratulating Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua on his recent appointment as acting managing director of NDDC, the group in the communique also appreciated Buhari for appointing what it termed “a seasoned technocrat” to oversee the affairs of the commission, describing the appointment as a step in the right direction towards the eventual constitution of a substantive board for the commission.
While praying God to grant him wisdom and enablement to have a smooth sail in the new responsibility and task ahead, the group also urge him to know it is time to positively change the story of the Niger Delta region by working harmoniously with critical stakeholders in the region.
The group further commended the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, for his swift implementation of the President’s directive as it concerns the reform of the commission, adding that the minister’s swift responses to, and implementation of the presidency’s developmental actions towards the region, have proven his commitment towards the development of the region.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the alleged spending of about ?5.9 billion on the rebranding of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The organisation called on the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside anti-corruption agencies to investigate the expenditure.
In an open letter dated March 14, 2026 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group said there should be full transparency regarding the reported spending.
“SERAP urges you to urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the alleged expenditure of about ?5.9 billion reportedly spent on the rebranding of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited,” the letter read.
The organisation also asked the president to mandate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to identify officials who approved the payment and the contractors who received the funds.
“SERAP urges you to direct the EFCC and ICPC to identify the officials who approved and paid the amount, and the contractor(s) who collected the money, and to invite them for questioning,” the group said.
The organisation further urged the anti-corruption agencies to examine the procurement process for the project to determine whether it complied with existing financial regulations and procurement laws.
It added that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing should face prosecution and any misused public funds recovered.
“SERAP urges you to direct Mr Fagbemi and the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that those suspected to be responsible for any wrongdoing are brought to justice if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and that any public funds that may have been misused or mismanaged are recovered and returned to the national treasury,” the letter stated.
According to SERAP, the national oil company reportedly paid ?2.9bn for incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds, while the National Petroleum Investment Management Services also charged ?2.9bn against crude oil revenue for the same purpose.
“According to reports, about ?2.9 billion was reportedly charged as incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds, while another ?2.9 billion was charged against crude oil revenue by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services during the transition of the company into a limited liability entity,” the letter added.
SERAP said the combined amount resulted in about ?5.9bn spent on the rebranding and corporate transition process.
The group argued that investigating the expenditure would help strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of public funds in the petroleum sector.
“Investigating the alleged spending of the ?5.9 billion would help promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and strengthen public confidence in government.
SERAP also gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its request or risk legal action.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government and the NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter added.
The organisation noted that the rebranding of the national oil company followed the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, which required the corporation to become a commercially oriented limited liability company owned by the Federal Government.
The Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) has pledged partnership with Wikimedia, an international online encyclopedia and knowledge platform to document stories of Niger Delta.
Acting General Manager of RSNC, Mrs Stella Gbaraba, made the pledge while playing host to the team leader and organiser of ‘Wiki Loves Africa Rites and Rituals’, Solomon Dappa, in her office at the weekend.
She said the corporation was ready to partner in selling and rebranding the Niger Delta to the world.
“In The Tide, our doors are open for collaboration to put the South South in positive light,” she assured.
Gbaraba said The Tide, as the oldest surviving state owned newspaper in the country, has a rich library and repository of records that will boost and enrich the narratives about the Niger Delta.
Earlier, Dappa said the project by Wikimedia has been ongoing in other parts of the country, but that his team took it as a challenge to change the narrative.
“Before now, Niger Delta has been in the news for the wrong reasons” he said, “but with this we can change the narrative through cultures and values of the people”, Dappa stated.
The award winning photographer disclosed that his team seeks collaboration with high profile mediums to ensure that every story written and sent out is genuine and verified, saying Wikimedia is a unique online knowledge platform that relies on factual stories.
Meanwhile, Dappa has urged youths in Rivers State to exploit the potentials in Wikimedia to sell Niger Delta positively to the world.
He gave the charge during a one-day training tagged ‘Rites and Rituals – Wikimedia Loves Africa’ held at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
Dappa, who was the coordinator of the event, said the event was aimed at educating the youths in the region on how to change the image of Niger Delta through narratives on culture and values of the people.
He said, “In Wikimedia, we believe it’s not something one person can do alone. So, we need to engage young people to contribute and benefit from the Wikimedia space”.
He said once positive narratives are presented about the Niger Delta, it will be easy to transform the region.
On why the event was organised, he said, “The Niger Delta is the least represented and documented in the Wikimedia”.
Some participants at the event expressed appreciation for the opportunity, stating that the programme has empowered them to impact positively.
One of the trainees, Biodeinminabo Kombonimi, said the training aligns with his goals and activities in projecting his community, Bille, with its rich cultural heritage.
Kombonimi said he would utilize the knowledge he acquired to promote culture and other activities of his community and Rivers State.
For Sarah Cookey, the programme has opened new opportunities in selling her culture to the outside world.
She said, “This will help me share stories and contribute more to the Niger Delta.”
On her part, Belema Vincent Dei said the training has equiped her with skills on research and knowledge sharing on Wikimedia.
While lauding Wiki Loves Africa for the opportunity given to her, she promised to showcase more positive narratives about her community in the coming years.
By: Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has assured members of the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA) of her willingness to partner with them to promote women’s economic empowerment.
Prof. Odu gave the assurance while playing host to a delegation of the Rivers/Bayelsa Chapter of WACCIMA at Government House, in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
She urged the women to rally round and support women’s leadership in order to create lasting change and inspire future generations.
The Deputy Governor also applauded Dr. Chinyere Nwoga for emerging as the first female President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) since its inception. She noted that Dr. Nwoga now carries the responsibility of setting the pace and demonstrating the capabilities and achievements of women in leadership.
Prof. Odu expressed delight that women are increasingly learning to support one another, stressing that the era when women failed to support themselves is over.
“Our priority is to keep impacting lives, no matter how small. The moment you improve the capacity of women whether rural women or working-class women you build their confidence. They begin to do better in whatever they know how to do,” she added.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, said the visit was to express solidarity with the visionary leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which she noted has continued to foster peace, stability and strengthen investors’ confidence in the state.
She commended the deliberate and impactful efforts of the Fubara-led administration, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, human capital advancement, security and economic diversification.
According to her, these initiatives strongly align with the core mission and objectives of the Port Harcourt Chamber, the Women Chamber and the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce.