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Probe NDDC Operations, Spending, CSOs Tell Oil Producing Communities
Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have charged residents of oil producing states to exercise their rights by challenging the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for it to deliver on its mandate in the affected communities.
The CSOs also resolved at a workshop in Akure, the Ondo State capital to form a movement that would henceforth work with the people in the mandate areas to ensure that projects executed by NDDC were monitored and evaluated.
These were part of the submissions of stakeholders at an Agenda Capacity Development Workshop held in Akure, at the weekend.
The theme of the workshop was, “Straightening CSOs and community agency capacity to engage NDDC”, and organised by the Social Development Integrated Centre, also known as Social Action, and MacArthur Foundation.
In his presentation, the Chairman, Civil Society Coalition in Ondo State, Mr Franklin Oloniju, said the level of corruption in the NDDC over the years had negatively affected it from alleviating the sufferings of the people of the oil producing states, hence the need for those affected to start asking questions.
Oloniju pointed out that people should ask questions about the activities of NDDC to ensure accountability and transparency, adding that checks and balances must be activated to demand for the needful from NDDC.
He said, “Over the years, we have found that the mandates of NDDC have not benefited the people and the commission itself has been plagued with a lot of issues around corruption, inefficiency, ineptitude activities, not being transparent and accountable. So, these are some of the problems that plagued the commission for a long time.
“Based on emerging trend and for the fact that they still continue to hold the destiny of millions of people in their hands in term of being unable to deliver on their mandates, it is important that people must start to hold the commission accountable for them to be able to deliver on their services.”
“That is why we are bringing stakeholders across the region to see we can form a movement that will put NDDC on its toes and ensure that it does what it is supposed to do appropriately and efficiently.
“A lot of money budgeted for intervention and construction are not mostly executed and if they are done,they are executed in as substandard. So how can we continue in that manner? There is a need for us to rejig the processes that go on within the NDDC for it to deliver on the services.
“One of the things we noticed as stakeholders is that a lot of people still don’t understand the mandate of NDDC and they don’t understand the fact that NDDC should be accountable to them, especially those at the mandate areas. They also do not have the understanding of how to engage NDDC for them to be accountable.
“We also found that people at mandate areas don’t show much interest because there is a lot of shielding in secrecy of NDDC activities and its budget.
“Our presentation is to open up their eyes that they have a role to play in ensuring that this commission delivers on its mandate.
“For them to also understand the importance of people with disabilities, women in the running of the NDDC, looking at gender as a component that has been neglected when allocations of posts, resources are carried out and programmes are planned.
“There is a lot of exclusion and marginalisation within the NDDC and people of the community must be ready to address such marginalisation.
“Until the people are conscientised to take up their responsibility and challenge those in charge, there won’t be any change in the way NDDC is being run. So people need to put more searchlights on the activities of NDDC because NDDC has become a milking cow for a lot of people. And those legislators, doing oversight are not really doing their jobs appropriately,” Oloniju submitted.
In his presentation, Senior Programme Officer, Social Action, Prince Edebo, said, “The essence of this workshop is to build the capacity of the community groups and leaders to engage the Niger Delta development commission which was set up for the development of communities for the extraction of oil produced from their region”.
Edebo opined, “So, there is a need to get back to the communities. However and unfortunately, this has not been the case as it is currently. So, this workshop is geared towards ensuring that communities are empowered to engage the commission for community development.
“Part of our plans is that communities, will after now, begin to engage NDDC because they would have been thought advocacy skills, communication skills and engagement skills.
“They would have been thought to carry out community needs assessment, how to look at small at small fiscal financial skills around needs assessment.
“They will also understand that it is not everything they need will be provided. They should also play their part by ensuring that it is what is needed that should be requested for,” Edebo said.
Participants were drawn from all the oil producing states in the country, where some of them described the workshop as an eye-opener.
The Nigerian Army says it has taken into custody Christopher Emmanuel, who allegedly assaulted a female vendor, Doshima, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue.
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Capt. Abdullahi Osabo, yesterday.
Osabo said the Headquarters Operation Whirl Stroke took cognisance of the incident, which occurred on May 6 and reported on May 8.
He said the incident might have stemmed from a dispute over an unpaid debt, with allegations suggesting that the soldier claimed the woman insulted him during a phone conversation.
According to him, it is further alleged that this confrontation may have escalated into a physical altercation, which is now under investigation.
“Private Christopher Emmanuel is currently in custody, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and will take disciplinary action based on findings of the investigation.
“The leadership of the Nigerian Army assures the general public and the victim that justice will be served in line with the military’s high standards.
“OPWS strongly condemns any form of indiscipline or human rights abuse by its personnel,” he said.
Osabo urged members of the public to report any instances of abuse by Nigerian army personnel to the Human Rights Desk helpline instead of using social media.
He gave the assurance that all reports of infractions by army personnel were viewed seriously, investigated, and sanctions applied where personnel were found culpable.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” he added.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will hold a valedictory court session on Wednesday, May 14, to honour the late Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, a former Justice of the court who passed away in October last year.
The session is scheduled to take place at 2.pm in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court.
A statement issued yesterday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the apex Court, Dr Festus Akande, revealed that the late judicial icon died peacefully in his sleep on October 28, 2024, at the age of 91.
Born on March 16, 1933, in Amainyi, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Justice Ogwuegbu rose from a humble background to become a towering figure in the legal profession.
He was appointed a judge of the High Court of Imo State in November 1976, serving as Administrative Judge of the Owerri Judicial Division from 1976 to 1979. He later served in the same capacity in the Aba Judicial Division in 1980.
Elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 1987, Justice Ogwuegbu served in the Ibadan and Lagos Divisions before his appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in April 1992.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the judiciary, he was seconded by the Federal Government to serve on the Supreme Court bench of The Gambia from December 1999 to 2002.
He returned to Nigeria to continue his meritorious service at the Supreme Court until his retirement on 16 March 2003.
The valedictory session will be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Tributes will be paid to the late Justice Ogwuegbu by the Chief Justice and other key stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.
The session will also be attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
A total of 86 Nigerian Army captains will be sitting for the 2025 written promotion examination in Benin.
The week-long examination will run from May 12 through May 16 and is being hosted by the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST).
Speaking at the opening session on Sunday in Benin, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and president of the examination saluted the candidates for reaching this pivotal point in their careers.
He described the examination as a major stepping stone to higher responsibilities and called for professionalism, discipline and zero tolerance for examination malpractice.
“The examination is part of the Nigerian Army’s structured promotion process aimed at building a professional, disciplined and merit-driven officer corps, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of a capable and responsive force.
“This is an opportunity to make a solid progression in your chosen career.
“Let me assure you that if you have prepared well, you will pass this exam without resorting to any form of malpractice. We expect nothing short of a 100 per cent success,” he said.
According to him, the examination is a key prerequisite for promotion to the rank of major while also urging all participants to give it their best, especially those making a second attempt.
He noted that only three chances were allowed by the army policy.
Mr Aligbe however, warned that any candidate caught cheating, discussing answers in the hall or violating security protocols would be disqualified and made to face further disciplinary action.
He also disclosed that awards and commendation letters, including cash prizes would be given to candidates who rank first, second and third.
He added: “our desire is to see all of you pass”, while assuring fairness and transparency in the marking process.
In his welcome address, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Adegbite, commandant of NASST, said the school was honoured to host the promotion exam.
He noted that the examination marks a critical milestone in the career development of officers.
“You have undergone a rigorous one-month preparatory cadder.
“The mock exam assessed your readiness. We expect good performance.
“Be reminded of the security situation in Benin. Avoid unnecessary movements. Move in pairs and be security conscious,” he said.
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