Niger Delta
Diri, Others Task NDDC, MNDD On Collaboration …As Tinubu Promises East-West Road Completion
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Delta State counterpart, Chief Francis Oborevwori, and other stakeholders have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry of Niger Development (MNDD) to collaborate more effectively with sub-national governments in the region.
They spoke at the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, recently with the theme, “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
Declaring the meeting open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, assured that his administration would prioritize the completion of the East-West Road in view of its importance not only to the Niger Delta states, but to the entire country.
He said the administration was repositioning the Niger Delta Development Ministry and the NDDC to harmonize all development plans of agencies and partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan to actualize their mandate.
He restated his commitment towards resuscitating refineries in the country to ensure petroleum products availability and reduction in their retail prices.
He said: “It will gladden you to note that my administration has demonstrated interest in repositioning the NDDC to ensure it delivers optimally on its objectives and mandate, and to make it achievements manifest in different sectors of life across the Niger Delta region.
“The East-West Road project is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria today, and the reason is not far-fetched; It is a very strategic road connecting the nation’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the country.
“Its completion is a priority to this administration, and this I assure you will be delivered in the very nearest future. On a broader scale, we are dedicated to ensuring that our local refineries across the Nicer Delta and other parts of the country are made operational soonest”.
In his goodwill message, Governor Diri noted that effective collaboration between the Niger Delta Ministry, the NDDC and the nine states would fast-track the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated that such cooperation would equally enable the ministry and the interventionist agency to better deliver on their mandate.
He stressed the need for big ticket infrastructural projects, such as seaports, roads, bridges and gas turbines to generate power for aggressive industrial development for job and wealth creation in the region.
While thanking the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Development for organizing the meeting, Governor Diri cautioned all stakeholders against paying lip service to the implementation of resolutions reached at such meetings.
In their separate remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Chief Francis Oborevwori and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said it was high time the resources meant for the region were used for its development.
Chief Oborevwore emphasized the need for NDDC and the Niger Delta ministry to complete their uncompleted projects in the region, particularly the East-West road, which had been under construction for decades.
Presenting a 3-page communique at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Mr Abubakar Momoh, said Council noted the effort of his ministry on agricultural training and empowerment initiatives in the region for job and wealth creation among youth, women and vulnerable groups.
He added that Council also considered and approved some memoranda, including the one submitted by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment on the need to increase investment in the provision of storage facilities and value chain to preserve agricultural produce for sustained growth.
The communique read in parts:”That the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission and the nine states take appropriate steps to train and empower youths on the conversion of PMS to CNG-powered machineries in the Niger Delta region”.
Momoh announced that the date for the next National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) meeting, which is scheduled to hold in Imo State would be communicated in due course.
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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.
Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.
“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.
“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.
“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.
Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.
“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.
“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.
The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.
Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.
Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.
She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.
“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.
Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.
She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.
The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.
She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.
The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.
Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.
“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.
“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.
Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.
Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.
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