Constitution Of NDDC Board, Buhari’s 80th Birthday Gift To Niger Delta

A citizens-led anti-sabotage organisation under the aegis of ‘The Natives’, (TN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the reconstitution of Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a birthday gift for the Niger Delta region.

The group also congratulated the President on his 80th birthday anniversary, adding that Buhari has stabilised democracy not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa as recently attested to by the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden.

In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, the leader of ‘The Natives’, Hon. Smart Edwards, urged the elders and all the people of Niger Delta to reciprocate the good gesture of President Buhari by giving necessary support to the new board and the nominee for NDDC managing director, Chief Sam Ogbuku.

According to ‘The Natives’, the current administration of President Buhari has faced most turbulent times with multiple recessions and COVID-19 pandemic but has been able to steer the ship of Nigeria faithfully.

“Although your traducers will find it disturbing, the truth is that you held the Nation that was well at combustion stage. From Cattle rearing challenge, to IPOB, to Boko Haram/ISWAP, to corruption fight and corruption fighting back, to citizen focused activities like Amnesty, MarketMoni, Humanitarian N-Power, Anchor Borrowers Programmes, COVID-19 interventions, free and fair elections, among others, we can’t but pour out this encomuims on you with encouragement to finish strong.

“We are using this medium to appreciate the approach of Mr. President towards NDDC while sanitising it. Indeed, hell was let loose, scores of scandals and scams all came to the fore, but you stayed forthright, committed and determined to give it a new face, you listened to the Governors, embarked on the forensic investigation despite the onslot of desperate politicians and opportunists, who got weary of any efforts to establish a new order.

“Indeed, you are a man of legacies, you will not be forgotten. NDDC,  this is your golden opportunity” the statement said.

While commending Buhari for the reconstitution of the NDDC Board, Edwards said; “this is a major lifeline offered again by the president to our people. It started with forensic investigation and then the desire for the rightful compensation of the region by given it a substantive board. This is surely a new beginning and thus deserves the cooperation of all.

The group, however, called on all people, tribes, tongues and persons of influence in the Niger Delta, particularly the elders and the unions, to end all bitterness and bickering that have underdeveloped its region and allow the new  NDDC leadership to works for its people.