From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, has commended the Managing Director, MD, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku for attaining the golden age of 50.
Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Wale Edun said the Niger Delta region has experienced great transformation under the leadership of Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
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Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the President of the Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri; Governor of Ondo Lucky Ayedayiwa; Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa; former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timpre Sylver; Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Dr Godknows Igali; Former Chairman, NDDC, Timi Alaibe, and others.
He said: “As was said earlier, turning 50, a very special occasion. It’s called the golden age when one looks back with gratitude and a head with a sense of purpose.
“In Dr. Ogbuku’s case, we celebrate not just years, but a life of service, a life of scholarship, a life of achievement and you’ve been at it. And you were recognized for it almost 30 years ago. As I said at the launching of the books, these two books are all about your strategy, your values and indeed your ability to execute.
He said: “It is the economic heartbeat of this country. And it’s central to the energy and environmental future.For decades, the story has been difficult. It has been complex. Rich resources, very rich in resources on land and water, but serious challenges all the way. His Excellency, Mr. President, is telling us his reforms focus on transparency and accountability resources. The investment in infrastructure and human capital, and of course, empowering communities at the grassroots so they can have a sustainable future.
“When we reflect on the Niger Delta, it’s more than a region, and earlier, we had a history of development in the Niger Delta, way back to colonial times.”
However, President Bola Tinubu charged the NDDC MD “to continue to champion the transformation of NDDC, an agency that delivers impact, and projects that touch lives, empower youth.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio, while felicitating with the celebrant, stressed that to manage the Niger Delta region while he was the Minister, Ministry Niger Delta Affairs based on the scandals that riddled the Commission.
He said: “It’s not easy to manage Niger Delta at all. It’s not easy to manage the NDDC.
“NDDC was a place where contracts were given in hotels, where people would sit down and write names of creeks and names of rivers, and then they would come for payments.
“Some of them never even visited the rivers, but the papers were all complete but so, for us to come and celebrate you today, we are not celebrating just mere celebration, we are celebrating God’s goodness to the good people of Niger Delta through the management of NDDC today.
“I’m here to represent the National Assembly, that we are very proud of you. We are very proud of what you are doing.
The celebrant, Dr Samuel Ogbuku with emotion laden voice while recalling how he gew up and his political travails and where he is today said his parents, and political mentors were behind his success.
Ogbuku commended his parents for believing in him and giving him the best of training and discipline to become who he is today as he celebrates 50 years and climbing the fifth floor graciously and gallantly by the grace of God.
He also promised to give his best to ensure holistic development of the Niger Delta region while he specially thanked President Tinubu for giving him the opportunity and support to impact positively the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.
He also appealed to the Governors of the Niger to synergize with the Commission to seamlessly transform the lives of the people in the region.
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