Former spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, has said the goodwill and overwhelming support the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) currently enjoys can be attributed to the visionary leadership of its Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku.
He said that since Ogbuku’s appointment, he has carried out far-reaching reforms that have repositioned the commission to serve the generality of the people and not a few as it was in the past.
Ekerefe made the averment while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the launch of the 2025 NDDC/Renewed Hope Initiative Free Medical Outreaches.
The youth leader noted that the new culture of transparency in the award of contract, the quality of projects, and the regular interface with critical stakeholders has endeared Ogbuku to even those who hitherto opposed his appointment.
In his words: “Ogbuku’s leadership style is inclusive, transparent, and accountable. He has ensured the restructuring of the NDDC, introduced measures for transparency and accountability, and established a robust corporate governance structure.
“Under his leadership, the NDDC has embarked on various transformative projects, including massive infrastructure development, building and rehabilitation of schools, distributing educational materials, and reviving the Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme.
“In addition, his economic empowerment programme has been very impactful, pulling thousands of people out of poverty and providing sustainable livelihoods for many homes across the Niger Delta.”
Ekerefe noted that the operation light-up the Niger Delta project with solar-powered street lights is another remarkable initiative that has enhanced the socio-economic life of the people, adding that most places in the region would have been in blackout if not for the initiative.
“Today, as we speak, Bayelsa has had no light, for over a month now. If not for the solar lights, it would have been something else. It is because of the solar lights that we have not seen an upsurge in criminal activities.
“I am particularly excited about it because most of the solar light contracts are done by indigenous contractors, which is a form of empowerment for our people. Truly, we have not had it this good”, he said.
While urging people of the region to show more support for the Ogbuku-led NDDC, Ekerefe also commended the NDDC MD for reviving the free healthcare programme that has seen over 20,000 surgeries, distribution of essential medical supplies to rural communities and other critical health interventions.
He also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for personally coming to launch the special edition of the 2025 medical outreach programme at the cottage hospital in Otuasega community in Bayelsa state on Thursday, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the commission.
Ekerefe however faulted a part of Governor Douye Diri’s speech at the event, describing it as unnecessary.
“The governor ought to have lauded the NDDC and its management for advancing development in the region and left it there, rather than trying to paint a picture of a non-existent camaraderie between his government and the commission that is known to every discerning mind,” Ekerefe said.
The youth leader also accused Diri of attempting to “hijack an event that his government didn’t organize.”
