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Buhari Sacks Nunieh As NDDC Acting MD
President Muhammadu Buhari has reorganised the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh with Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, as acting managing director.
The President also increased the number of the committee members from three to five persons, in a surprise shake-up that saw only Nunieh dropped from the IMC.
The other members of the committee retained include, Acting Executive Director (Projects), Dr Cairo Ojougboh; and Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang.
However, the president also enlarged the IMC with the addition of Mrs Caroline Nagbo as member; and a former vice president with African Development Bank (AfDB), Mrs Cecilia Bukola Akintomide as member.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, gave no reason for the replacement of the Nunieh with Pondei.
The statement reads in full, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from three to five.
“The five members of the committee are now: Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, who is the acting managing director, replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh; Acting Executive Director (Projects), Dr Cairo Ojougboh; Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang; Mrs Caroline Nagbo (member); and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide, a former vice president with African Development Bank (member).
“Prof K.D. Pondei, the new acting managing director, is a Professor of Medicine at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, and former provost, College of Health Sciences of the institution.
“President Buhari had earlier approved that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) would be in place till the forensic audit of the NDDC was concluded”, the statement said.
It would be recalled that President Buhari, on January 28, 2020, had stepped down a list of board members for the commission, which had been earlier screened by the Senate, informing that he wanted to reconstitute the board.
Also, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on October 30, 2019, announced the inauguration of the three-man Interim Management Committee, headed then by Barrister Joi Nunieh.
The inauguration of the IMC, compilation of a list for a substantive board, ostensibly ratified by President Buhari, notwithstanding, had generated serious heat across the Niger Delta region then.
The ditched list of board members was topped by Dr Pius Odubu from Edo State as chairman; Chief Bernard Okumagba from Delta as managing director; Engr Otobong Ndem from Akwa-Ibom as executive director (Projects); and Maxwell Oko from Bayelsa as executive director, Finance and Administration.
Stakeholders from different states of the region had accused Akpabio of working to hijack the commission and retard the development of the region.
However, Akpabio had explained, in several media interviews that the IMC was President Buhari’s idea and was meant to midwife the forensic audit of the commission, which he had earlier ordered.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.