NDDC Dedicates AU Award To Buhari

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dedicated an award it received from the African Union (AU) to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In its first Africa SME Annual Forum held in Cairo, Egypt, at the weekend, the African Union awarded the NDDC as the best “intervention agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Livelihood Support”.
The AU’s acting Director for Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Charles Newton Chiumya, said NDDC was recognised for the maiden award for supporting and promoting SMEs and livelihood in the Niger Delta and Africa, particularly among women and youths.
The Interim Administrator, NDDC, Dr. Effiong Akwa, who received the award, attributed the latest feat by the NDDC to Buhari’s commitment to rebrand and restructure the commission for optimum performance.
Akwa, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Youths and former Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, said the global recognition was an eloquent testimony that the NDDC, despite its challenges, had over the years impacted positively on the livelihood and economy of the Niger Delta, Nigeria and Africa.
He said while people expressed mixed feelings in Nigeria about the performance of the commission, global institutions and organisations could only appreciate the efforts of the NDDC to promote industrialisation through its support for SMEs.
Akwa said: “This award is dedicated to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to rebranding and restructuring the NDDC for optimum performance. I feel elated because truly, the NDDC over the years has been contributing immensely without blowing its trumpet”.