General
Marginalisation: Delta State Leaders Seek NDDC Chairmanship Slot
Niger Delta leaders on Friday vowed to take up the marginalisation issue of Delta State with the highest authority in Nigeria.
The leaders said there was no reason whatsoever for Delta State to be so treated compared with Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River in the appointment of Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
At a meeting in Abuja, the leaders said it was the turn of Delta State to produce the chairman and managing director of the Commission.
“The NDDC Act stated that the office of the chairman shall rotate amongst the member states of the commission in the following alphabetical order; Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Delta State, Edo State, Imo State, Ondo State and Rivers State.
“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Umaru Musa YarÁdua, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Onyema Ugochukwu (Chairman 2001-2005) Abia State, Sam Edem (Chairman, 2005-2007), Akwa-Ibom, Dan Abia (Acting Chairman 2007-2009), Akwa-Ibom, Larry Koinyan (Chairman (2009-2011), Bayelsa State, Tarifa Tebepah (Chairman 2011-2013, Bayelsa State, Bassey Henshaw (Chairman 2013-2015), Cross River State and Ndoma Egba (Chairman 2016-2019), Cross River State,” the group of elders said.
Leader of the Niger Delta Front (NDF), Mr John Harry, who addressed journalists in Abuja, said the leaders urged Nigerians to impress on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Delta State indigenes as chairman and managing director of the commission.
“The NDDC Act requires that there shall be for the commission, a Managing Director and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate among member states in the order of production,” the leaders said.
They said Rivers State occupied the position of Executive Director (Finance and Administration) for years through Itonanen Ogiri (EDFA 2013-2015), Mene Derek (EDFA 2016-2019), and Chris Amadi (Transition Acting EDFA 2019-2019.
“The right thing to do is to appoint someone from Bayelsa or Akwa-Ibom as the Executive Director (Finance and Administration) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),” they suggested.
Viewed against the background of the provisions of the NDDC Act, the leaders urged the authorities not to compound the problems of the Niger Delta region or make absolute nonsense of the NDDC Act.
“It is time to exhibit fairness,” they told President Muhammadu Buhari, who was commended for the effort he was making to develop the region.
They called on well-meaning people within and outside the Niger Delta region to prevail on President Buhari to appoint Delta indigenes as chairman and managing director.
“We expect the President to use the next NDDC Board to correct the imbalances of previous appointments. We believe in Mr President’s sense of justice and fair play,” the leaders added.
Meanwhile, some leaders of the region on Wednesday reached a consensus on how to consolidate the unity and political stability of the region.
They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Deltans as Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“Mr President, nations are built when existing laws are implemented in its entirety. As you apply the Law and zero on Delta State for the appointment of the Chairman and Managing Director, we plead with you to pick men or women who would further your Next Agenda, serve the interest of the country and the aspirations of the Niger Delta people,” the group appealed.
In a letter to President Buhari, the leaders said there were no doubts as to whether Delta State would produce the Chairman and Managing Director of the intervention agency.
“The ranking of the highest producing states is not in doubt and the state whose turn it is to be appointed the Managing Director of the next board for which Delta State comes top on all fronts and consideration knowing that Bayelsa State, Rivers State, and Akwa – Ibom State have completed their terms in successive ranking order,” they said.
Entitled “Letter establishing the fact on which state should produce the next Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)”, the leaders said the letter was not to create controversy but to forestall such or any controversy due to the peculiarity of the circumstance created by the Law or Act.
“Your Excellency, your stance on the Rule of Law and love for fairness and justice no matter the opinion of a few dissenting voices necessitated this letter of great importance from the people of Delta State and the Niger Delta at large. We were never in doubt as to where the pendulum would swing to, having seen the sincerity of your administration in fixing the problems inherited by your Government,” the group stated.
Signed by the Convener, Enlightened Delta Forum, Bestman Odibo and Publicity Secretary, Christopher Orushani, the leaders urged President Buhari to consider fairness and justice in constituting the next board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“For the first time, Your Excellency, a peculiar but interesting and lawful scenario backed by the act establishing the NDDC Board on the next Chairman of the board which is rotated amongst member states in alphabetic order as stated in the Act establishing the board and also the Managing Director (MD) position which is appointed and rotated based on the “highest” quantum of oil produced amongst the states emanating from one state. In applying the law that supports quantum as the basis for succession, Delta State falls next in line after Akwa – Ibom,” they said.
They stressed that the scenario would not start and end with Delta State as the First beneficiary of this unique position of the Law but that other states would experience same in future rotation.
“Your Excellency, we are glad to point to you the convergence of the positions of the Chairman and the Managing Director to Delta State though the first of its kind but a true reflection of the position of the Act establishing the Board of the NDDC,” the leaders added.
Onyema Ugochukwu (Chairman 2001-2005) Abia State, Godwin Omene (MD/CEO 2001-2003), Delta State, Timi Alaibe (EDFA 2001-2005) Bayelsa State, Ndo Mboro (EDP 2001-2002), Akwa-Ibom State, Emmanuel Agwariavwode (MD/CEO 2003-2005) Delta State, Ukot Ukot (EDP 2002-2005), Akwa-Ibom State.
Sam Edem (Chairman, 2005-2007), Akwa-Ibom, Emmanuel Agwariavwodo (MD/CEO 2005-2006), Delta State, Timi Alaibe (EDFA 2005-2006), Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe (Acting MD/CEO 2006-2006), Bayelsa, PZ Aginighan (Acting EDFA 2006-2006), Delta State, Beniah Ojum (EDP 2005-2009), Rivers State.
Dan Abia (Acting Chairman 2007-2009), Akwa-Ibom, Timi Alaibe (Substantive MD/CEO 2006-2009) Bayelsa State, PZ Aginighan (Acting EDFA 2007-2009), Delta State, PZ Aginighan (Transition Acting MD/CEO 2009-2009), Delta State.
Larry Koinyan (Chairman (2009-2011), Bayelsa State, Chibuzor Uguoha (Substantive MD/CEO 2009-2011), Rivers State, PZ Aginighan (EDFA 2009-2011), Delta State, El Etteh (EDP 2009-2011), Akwa-Ibom State, Osato Arenyeka-Iyasere (Transition Acting MD/CEO 2011-2011), Edo State.
Tarifa Tebepah (Chairman 2011-2013, Bayelsa State, Christian Oboh (Substantive MD/CEO 2011-2013), Rivers State, L.E.J. Komboye (EDFA 2011-2013), Delta State, E. Eshiet (EDP 2011-2013), Akwa-Ibom State, Christy Atako (Transition Acting MD/CEO 2013-2013), Rivers State.
Bassey Henshaw (Chairman 2013-2015), Cross River State, Dan Abia (Substantive MD/CEO 2013-2015), Akwa-Ibom State, Itonanen Ogiri (EDFA 2013-2015), Rivers State, Omasuli Tuoyo (EDP 2013-2015), Delta State, Ibim Semenitari (Transition Acting MD/CEO 2015-2016), Rivers State
Ndoma Egba (Chairman 2016-2019), Cross River State, Nsima Ekere (Substantive MD/CEO 2016-2019), Akwa-Ibom State, Mene Derek (EDFA 2016-2019), Rivers State, Adjogbe Samuel (EDP 2016-2019), Delta State.
Nelson Brambaila (Transition Acting MD/CEO 2019-2019), Bayelsa, Chris Amadi (Transition Acting EDFA 2019-2019), Rivers State, Adjogbe Samuel (Transition Acting EDP 2019-2019), Bayels State.
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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