MEET NEWLY INAUGURATED BOARD MEMBERS OF NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION-NDDC,-WHAT NO ONE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THEM REVEALED
In the month of August, 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed new Board members and Management Team of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC which is a development interventionist agency meant to bring even development in the 9 crude Oil-bearing states in Southern area of Nigeria. It was first established in the year 2000 by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration with Chief Onyema Ugochukwu as its First Board Chairman. And on Thursday 16th of November, 2023 Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh inaugurated the newly appointed members of Niger Delta Development Commission-NDDC at Abuja.
THE EAR WITNESS Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Emeka Amaefula (+234(0)8111813069) here presents briefs about the newly inaugurated Board and management Members of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and they include: Chiedu Ebie from Delta State, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku Managing/CEO from Bayelsa state, Boma Iyaye as Executive Director Finance and Administration from Rivers state, Victor Antai Executive Director Projects from Akwa Ibom, Hon. Otito Atikase as Executive Director Corporate Services from Ondo state, Dimaro Denyanbofa State Representative from Bayelsa state, Abasi Ndikan Nkono State Representative from Akwa Ibom, Monday Igbuya State Representative from Delta State, Tony Okocha State Representative From Rivers, Patrick Aisowieren State Representative Edo state, Kyrian Uchegbu State Representative from Imo state, Victor Kolade Akinjo State Representative Ondo state, DIMGBA ERUBA State Representative Abia state, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke State Representative Cross River state, Nick Wende Zonal Representative North Central, Namdas Abdulrazak Zonal Representative North East Zonal and Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir a Representative North West. READ ON
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Board and Management Team of NDDC Barrister Chiedu Ebie hails from Ika South Local government Area of Delta State. His coming to head the Board according to alphabetical arrangement enshrined in the Act of Parliament establishing NDDC makes the turn of Delta State to fall on Chiedu Ebie. The 52 years old trained Lawyer served as Commissioner Ministry of Basic/Secondary Education in Delta state in charge of Basic and Secondary Education. He has been an Oi and Gas Executive, an entrepreneur and public servant.
He graduated from University of Benin, Edo state and Nigerian Law school whereas he practiced Law at Lagos as Corporate and Commercial Lawyer. He once worked as Legal officer in defunct Broad Bank and as Company Secretary of THISDAY Newspapers, one of Nigeria’s major Newspapers. This versatile lawyer was a partner of the law firm Okonjo, Odiawa & Ebie and Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors. His experience in the Oil and Gas sector began from the time he worked as a part time later full-time status as Managing Director of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Ltd, where he oversaw the exploration and production of Oil and gas with offices in Lagos and Port Harcourt. In 2015 he was appointed as Secretary To Delta state Government SSG under Governor Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as he was involved with commercial production of crude Oil and Gas with many Assets which position he held with much ado.
DR. SAMUEL OGBUKU
The coming of the current Managing Director and Chief executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku is being heralded by the entire people of the Oil communities as his leadership style has been best described as unprecedented. He hails from Bayelsa state haven been born in Port Harcourt where he attended University of Port Harcourt where from 1999-2000, he obtained Bachelor’s Degree BSc. in Political and Administrative Studies, later Master’s Degree in Political Science and from 2019 to 2021 he obtained Doctoral Degree in Political and Administrative Studies all from University of Port Harcourt with special interest in Conflict Resolution, Industrial Relations, Negotiation and Personnel Management.
He was once Chief of Staff to Timipre Sylva the then executive Governor of Bayelsa State. As a Youth leader in Niger Delta Resources Control agitators he has in depth knowledge in crisis management, capacity building and entrepreneurship development among so many other ventures especially in agricultural ventures where he once ventured into as an investor.
Since he came on Board from the Acting capacity to substantive status Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has maintained good relationship with the stakeholders in the Niger Delta so much so that the incessant protests usually known around the Headquarters of NDDC has now become a thing of the past as he operates open door policy in welcoming into his office several groups and individuals who have one or two things to do with NDDC.
IFEDAYO ABEGUNDE
The sterling quality of Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde to public service resonated more when his name appeared in the list of members of Management Board of Niger Delta Development Commission-NDDC as announced in the month of August, 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This tall looking intelligent fellow is a gifted man with many skills acquired through hard work. Born on 5th of May, 1955 as he attended Saint David’s Anglican Primary School Oyemekun as he finished his secondary education at Oyemekun Grammar school also with Higher School Certificate, HSC. As a focused man he was admitted at Yaba College of Technology Lagos, where he acquired an Ordinary National diploma in Civil Engineering. He later travelled to the United States of America for academic laurels as he obtained Bachelor of Architecture BSc from Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA. He further advanced with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde’s professional career started with his debut as Assistant Civil Engineer at Akintobi-Oyenekan & Associates where he participated in road construction for Ondo state. He also worked in the USA as a Systems Engineer for Maryland as he worked at the United States’ Patent and trade Organization.
His Political career saw him in 2003 to Federal House of Representatives representing Akure North and South Federal constituency, where he was Chairman of Inter-Governmental Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency-NEMA. From 2017 to 2020 he was appointed as Secretary-To Ondo state Government SSG as he put into place his numerous developmental knowledge in industrialization, good governance and poverty eradication which took centre stage of the programmes of action during his days as SSG in Ondo state. He started as National Secretary of National Democratic Coalition NADECO which battled the Military out of non-democratic political interference in Nigeria.
His appointment as Executive Director of Corporate Services in Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC came at a time quality and dedicated technocrats are needed to rejig developmental strides in Niger Delta region.
IBRAHIM ABDULAHI GOBIR
Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir is the representative of North West in Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC. He is a trained Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Institute of Electrical Engineers and he also qualified as a certified member of Nigerian Society of Engineers. He later worked for the Ministry of Communications as he joined the Nigerian television authority in Sokoto. He capped his public service record as Director of Union Bank of Nigeria in 2002. He attended University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. First, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics B.ENG. (ET) from The Ohio Institute of Technology Columbus Ohio from 1977 to 1979 and Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree specializing in Automation, M. Engineering from University of Detroit Mercy from 1982 to 1984, Doctoral Degree in Electrical Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Electrical Engineering from 2001-2004. With a Masters of Business Administration MBA from University of Liverpool UK.
He was elected in 2011 to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
BOMA IYAYE
This Wakrikese Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers state Ijaw born former Lawmaker, Commissioner of Sports and now Executive director Finance and Administrator EDFA at Niger Delta Development Commission is a trained Accountant by profession. He was born on 24th of September 1969 at Port Harcourt where he attended State School II, Port Harcourt rivers state. He completed his secondary education at Baptist High School from 1981 to 1986. He graduated from Rivers state University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Orowurokwo Port Harcourt now Rivers state University. This 54-year-old lawmaker and administrator had worked with multinational companies in various capacities from 1992 to 2000s. He was elected member representing Ogu/Bolo State constituency at Rivers state House of Assembly until 2007 where he served as Chairman of House Committee on Sports. In 2015 during the administration of Nyesom Wike as Governor of Rivers state Honourable Boma Iyaye was appointed as Commissioner For Sports for 3-years. And In 2021 he was honoured with the traditional title of Chief of the Chiri War Canoe House of the Loko Group of Houses in Ogu Kingdom in Rivers state. He is currently pursuing further academic degrees in Law and doctoral degrees too.
VICTOR ANTAI
He is the Projects Director at Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC where he is expected to perform optimally. Coming on the recommendation of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Victior Antai is a graduate of Maritime Academy Oron now Maritime University of Nigeria Oron., Akwa Ibom state from 2009 to 2011. He was former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Akwa Ibom state from 1st December 2016. And in 7th June 2015 to 27th of November 2016 he was appointed Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom state. And former two term chairman of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom from 6th June 2008 to 7th May, 2015. He graduated from University of Port Harcourt Bachelor’s Degree in Geography in 1991.
OTITO THOMPSON ATIKASE
This grass root organizer and party leader of Igbokoda, from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state is your everyday man who is well fixed at his base. He attended Methodist High School, Okitipupa from where he proceeded to Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA. He once contested for the Ilaje LGA Chairmanship position under APC in Ondo state and won. Otito Thompson Atikase is well loved by his coastal community Oil and Gas producing people who put more trust in his leadership qualities. His inclusion as Director Corporate Affairs in NDDC is also receiving much commendation for he is described as a good man who takes every assignment given to him very seriously.
DIMARO DENYANBOFA
Among the Management team in the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC is Dimaro Denyeanbofa representing Bayesla State. He is someone who was born in the rustic background of Peretorugbene town of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa state where he began his early education as a pupil at L.A Primary School at Peretorugbene, in Ekeremor LGA. From here he proceeded to Rivers state University of Science and Technology Nkpolu Orowurokwo Port Harcourt now Rivers state University as he bagged a Bachelor of Science education in Business Education and topped it with a Master’s Degree in Education Psychology and Guidance and Counselling from University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
He has been very rooted in service as a Supervisory Councillor and elected Local Government Chairman of Ekeremor LGA even under the old Rivers state where he showed glowingly with exceptional contributions in infrastructure developments emerging Best LGA Chairman as at then in 1992. His Rural electrification model in Ekeremor LGA and his innovation in introducing rural healthcare to rural people via “Doctors Flying Project” being a pilot Health scheme brought him much accolades in those days in Old Rivers state. In the area of Agriculture, he also made a great impact as Ekeremor LGA Chairman. With over 35 years as administrator few years old earned him a ticket to be elected as Member representing Bayelsa West senatorial District
This Elder statesman in 1998, was a dogged fighter for Nigeria’s return to democracy. He passionate and an advocate who participated in leadership of various groups like the Ijaw Youths Action League which helped to pave the way for the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and in 2008 and 2009 in the emergence of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme which is still running for the betterment of the Niger delta region. Cumulatively this ebullient administrator was at the forefront of attracting projects worth over N80 billion to Bayelsa State during his tenure as the Special Advisor on NDDC in 2003 later in the newly created Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.
Today a visit to the Bayelsa state capital Yenagoa you will witness his footprints in policy frameworks while he was Special Advisor on state Capital Development in 2003, he played major roles in innovative designs in Yenagoa’s infrastructure, leading to the construction of internal roads, with pioneering stormwater drainage systems that serve the capital today. No wonder in 2023, his track records in exemplary service to mankind earned him a cherished and meritorious position as a member in the Board and Commissioner representing Bayelsa State in the Governing Board of NDDC.
He is well respected in Bayelsa state and environs given his commitment in the service of his people with generative ideas in ways and means of making his community and his people live a better life worth emulation in the comity of nations.
ABASI NDIKAN NKONO
This trained Pastorservant leader and a politician Abasi Ndikan Nkono contested for Eket State constituency of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly election under the platform of All Progressives Congress-APC. In 2006 Senate President Godswill Akpabio got introduced to Apostle Abasindikan Nkono and since then the relationship has metamorphosed to this Appointment as a member at the Management Board of NDDC. He is the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom state in NDDC.
MONDAY IGBUYA
This astute politician and businessman Rt. Honourable Monday Ovwigho Igbuya is the Representative of Delta state in Niger Delta Development Commission-NDDC with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director and CEO. For the early educational career of Rt. Honourable Monday Igbuya as he was born on 17th of August, 1956 at Sapele Local government Area of in the then Mid-Western region now Delta state. He attended Government Primary school Sapele for First School leaving Certificate in 1968. He attended Academy Grammar School and sapele Technical College before he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree BSc in Political science from Delta State University Abraka.
He worked at various companies first with Shoumount Engineering Ltd and Delta Steel company Ltd. Aladja Delta state. While focusing his attention in leadership where he excelled first as a pioneer elected Councillor of Old Okpe LGA, he was Publicity Secretary of Social democratic Party-SDP in Delta State later elected Chairman of Sapele LGA. He climbed the political rostrum as Majority Leader of Delta state House of assembly, then elected Speaker Delta State House of Assembly.
In business he performed very well with his signature company as Chairman and Managing Director of Moving Nigeria Limited, Moving Petroleum Nigeria Ltd, Movig Hotel and Suites both in Sapele Delta state and Lagos.
Monday Igbuya is a well-loved politician in Delta state and a grassroot one with his developmental agenda for his people which earned a place in the current management Board of NDDC.
TONY OKOCHA
He is a well-established politician in Rivers state starting his early education at Port Harcourt where he graduated with first Degree in Philosophy at University of Port Harcourt. He started his political career serving as political aide to the then Deputy Governor of Rivers state GTG Toby and he worked as Special Assistant to Nyesom Wike as Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA in Rivers state one of the richest LGA in Nigeria as host to multinational Oil and gas companies in Niger Delta region. He was later appointed as Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA where he became Chief of Staff to the then Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Tony Okocha may not be your controversial politician but he has swarm in the murky waters of Rivers state politics as he was one of the Rivers state politicians to openly support the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Organization with the grassroot movement of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Supports Vanguard BATSV for Rivers state and Bayelsa states where he started mobilization of supports early in Rivers state with the fragmented All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers state.
PATRICK AISOWIEREN
He is the representative of Edo state in the development interventionist agency NDDC. Before his nomination into the Board and management of NDDC, Patrick Aisowieren served as member representing Orhionmwon/Uhumwonde Federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives in the 8th and 9th National Assembly. Born on 14th of October, 1972 he attended Delta state University Abraka, Delta state. He began with his election in 2003 as Councillor representing his ward in Orhiwnmwon Local Government Area of Edo state. He moved on to be elected into the Edo state House of assembly represented Orhionmwon east Constituency in Edo state House of Assembly in 2007 to 2011 and later elected into the Federal House of Representatives for Orhionmwon/Uhumwonde Federal constituency from 2015 to 2019. Because of his performance in leadership he is addressed as “Project Master” and this earned him a place in the Niger Delta development Commission 2023 Management Board.
KYRIAN UCHEGBU
He is the representative of Imo state who come from the oil and gas rich Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local government Areas of Imo state precisely Izombe in Oguta LGA. He owns USGOOD Multi Farm and general Services Ltd. This Imo state politician cum businessman was in 2019 named as Imo state representatives in NDDC under the Dr. Otubu led the management Board before it was dissolved. And he retained the same position upon the August 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement of the Management Board with the Chiedu Ebie led Management Board.
VICTOR KOLADE AKINJO
This astute politician and social democrat is your everyday man who is very close to his people of Ondo state as their representative at the newly inaugurated Management Board of NDDC in 2023. He was elected as the member Federal House of representatives representing Ilaje Ese- Odo Federal Constituency from 2015 to June 11, 2023 with his political mantra “salus Populis est suprema lex” meaning “the welfare of people is supreme”. He is best described as a Humanist based on his act of philanthropy for his people. He was born on 11th of November 1974 and was Personal Assistant to the President On Students’ and Youth Affairs. He owns Vabe Glory Nigeria Ltd as Managing director and Chief executive Officer he was removed from the list of the new Board on the account of his membership of PDP and he was replaced with Hon. Otito Atikase in September, 2023. He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Oun state as Students’ Union Leader in his days.
DIMGBA ERUBA
He hails from Ukwa West Local government Area of Abia state, a crude Oil and gas producing community in South eastern Nigeria. Dimagba Eruba is the Abia state representative at the Management Board of NDDC led by Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the Board. He is a well known technocrat and he has experience in the Oil and gas sector of Nigeria’s economy. During the 2023 Presidential Campaign he contributed immensely in APC Abia state campaign trail of Tinubu/Shettima for President Organization and on 29th of August, 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Chief Dimgba Eruba as Representative of Abia state in the NDDC Board.The Deputy speaker Federal House of representative Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu was instrumental in having Chief Dimgba Eruba retained in the list of the 2023 nominees of management Board members of Niger Delta development Commission-NDDC. He is a grassroot politician and a philanthropist with unequivocal track records of uplifting the standard of life for his people.
RT. HON. OROK OTU DUKE
This is the Man who many in Cross River state under the platform of All Progressives Congress believe contributed so much in the success of the party’s outcome in the 2023 general elections. This earned him a seat at the 2023 list of nominees of the Management Board of NDDC as a representative of Cross River state. He was born on 24th of July, 1961 in Calabar South of Cross River state. He earned a bachelor’s of art degree from University of Calabar, as he topped it Master’s Degree MFA in Media in 1991. Having his doctoral degree as part of his academic pursuit. He is an alumnus of prestigious saint Patricks college Calabar and Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar, Cross River state. His political career took a swift turn as he was elected as member of Cross River House of Assembly representing Calabar South 1 state constituency from 1992 to 1993 as he was Deputy speaker. In 2014 he was a member of the National Conference Abuja representing the Niger Delta zone. He is a Media guru, a proprietor of Duke and duke Media Ltd as a communication consultant and Sports administrator. Rt. Hon. Orok Duke is a traditional title holder as Adaidaha of Efik Eburutu and Otuekong of atakpa ikot Effiom. He is a talented Poet and creative person with a multifaceted nature gifted in the service of mankind.
NICK WENDE
Honourable Nicholas Aondona Wende popularly addressed as Nick Wende is the zonal representative of North Central in 2023 constituted Management Board of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Nick Wende who is not new to national politics. He was born on 11th of May, 1970 in Jos, Plateau state. He is a native of Mbagha/Mbakyan ward of Benue state. He took part in running for Benue state House of Assembly election in 2019 under All Progressives Congress-APC. In 2015 he also aspired as Governor of Benue state under APC.
NAMDAS SAAD ABDULRAZAK
This great media professional is a veteran Nigerian seasoned journalist and politician from Adamawa state where he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives for Ganye/Jada/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Constituency in 2015 under APC. He was born on January 1st, 1969 and an indigene of Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa state. He earned a Degree in Sociology from Uthman Dan Fodio University Sokoto and has a post graduate Diploma in Journalism from Nigerian institute of Journalism Jos as Best graduating Student of his set in 1998. He was appointed as Director General of Abubakar Atiku Presidential aspiration. He is currently the Zonal representative for North Eastern Nigeria at the Management Board of NDDC. He was the Spokesman of the 8th House Of Representatives as he was member and Chairman of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs. Namadas Saad Abdulrazak was one-time Chief Press Secretary to Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa state. In 2019 he contested for the speaker position but stepped down for Femi Gbajabiamila who was selected by APC leadership
