Former spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has commended the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, for clarifying Nigerians about Ogbuku’s tenure as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Momoh, had firmly dismissed speculation regarding a leadership change at the NDDC, stating unequivocally that the position of Managing Director is not vacant.
The Minister specifically hinted that Ogbuku’s appointment was renewed for four years, effective from October 2023.
Reacting to the minister’s statement, Ekerefe via a statement made available to mangrovepen.ng on Thursday, hailed Momoh for the clarification.
Ekerefe who is the founder and leader of the Niger Delta advocacy group, New Era Movement, stressed that the current NDDC leadership has a mandate of four years in line with the NDDC act with a clauses for a renewal if President so desires.
According to him, the current NDDC management led by Ogbuku has performed tremendously well, far above the expectation of Niger Deltans.
He also noted that instead of blackmailing the NDDC leadership, naysayers should support Ogbuku and the board to deliver on the Commission’s mandate.
Ekerefe stressed that the era where people blackmail to gain the attention of the NDDC leadership and derail them from focusing on the job is long gone.
In his words: “Blackmailers and naysayers should put that energy into collaborations and partnerships with the management board for effective regional service delivery. But if however, there are concerns and misgivings, such should be channeled through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement.
“As a group, we will continue to call on stakeholders in the region, especially Ijaws not to pull down their own brother, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
“This attitude of pulling down Ijaw who are occupying sensitive positions in the federal government by our own Ijaw people is becoming a sad commentary. It should be discouraged and those who have made it their stock in trade should desist from it forthwith.
“Ijaws are becoming a laughing stock in the comity of ethnic nationalities because of our inability to think strategically with a view to collectively supporting our people who are in government for the common good.”
The former IYC spokesman commended Ogbuku for his sterling leadership and what he has achieved so far.
“We are very pleased with Dr. Ogbuku’s transformational leadership and we believe strongly that he is the best man for the job at his particular time.
“While thanking President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed on the NDDC management ably led by Ogbuku despite the innuendo’s at some quarters, we will encourage Dr. Ogbuku to remain focused and not be distracted,” Ekerefe stated.
