Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Mrs Lauretta Onochie, has been confirmed by the Senate as the Chairman of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Mrs Onichie was confirmed for the position on Tuesday after undergoing screening at the upper chamber of the National Assembly despite opposition to her nomination from a section of her home state, Delta State.
On November 25, 2022, Mr Buhari wrote to the Senate, asking for the confirmation of Mrs Onochie and others on the board of the agency.
The President, in the letter addressed to the Senate President, Mr Ahmad Lawan, said the nomination was in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(2)A of the NDDC Act, Cap N 86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Last Tuesday, the Senate Leader, Mr Ibrahim Gobir, asked his colleagues to consider the request of Mr Buhari. The matter was later referred to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs led by Mr Peter Nwaoboshi.
At the plenary today, the acting chairman of the committee, Mr Buius Amos, informed the Senate that his team screened the nominees and found them capable of functioning well for the positions they were nominated for.
As a result, Mrs Onochie was confirmed as Chairman of the organisation, while Mr Samuel Ogbuku was confirmed as the Managing Director of the NDDC.
Also confirmed were Mr Charles Airhiavbere from Edo State as the Executive Director for Finance, and Mr Charles Ogunmola from Ondo State as the Executive Director for Projects.
Those on the board as members are Dimgba Erugba from Abia State, Emem Wilcos Wills from Akwa Ibom State, Dimaro Denyabofa from Bayelsa State, Orok Duke from Cross River State, Gbenga Edema from Ondo State, Elekwachi Dinkpa from Rivers State, Mohammed Kabir Abubakar from Nasarawa State, Sule Iko Sadeeq Sani Sami from Kebbi State, and Tahir Mamman from Adamawa State.
However, the confirmation of the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Pius Egberanwen Odubu, and Mr Anthony Okanne from Imo State was stepped down for not appearing at the screening.
