By Emmanuel Enebeli
ASABA/Nigeria: For 25 years, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stood as a symbol of hope and intervention for communities long plagued by environmental degradation, poverty, and underdevelopment. From the creeks of Bayelsa to the bustling towns of Delta and Rivers, the Commission has been at the center of efforts to rebuild trust between the federal government and the oil-producing states.
It was against this backdrop that the NDDC formally flagged off its silver jubilee celebrations in Asaba, Delta State, with a world press briefing at the Dome Event Centre. The event marked the beginning of a weeklong commemoration of the Commission’s journey, achievements, and renewed commitment to delivering sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, used the occasion to reaffirm the Commission’s resolve to accelerate infrastructure, health, education, and economic growth in the region. He noted that the Commission, which evolved from the defunct OMPADEC, was created to ensure rapid and inclusive development for oil-producing communities.
Highlighting key achievements, Dr. Ogbuku listed the completion of long-abandoned projects, construction of schools, deployment of solar streetlights in rural communities, a youth internship programme, and the widely acclaimed foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme.
“We remain committed to our mandate and are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in this board,” Ogbuku said. “Our goal is to deliver impactful, people-focused projects that reflect the hopes and dreams of the Niger Delta.”
Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Chiedu Ebie, emphasized the importance of transparency and engagement, assuring that the current board is united and focused on repositioning the Commission for greater efficiency.
Chairman of the 25th Anniversary Planning Committee and former federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Iyayi, announced that the celebration would climax on July 12 with a grand gala and awards night in Port Harcourt. He added that the celebration would include a beauty pageant to showcase the culture and elegance of the region.
Earlier, the NDDC delegation visited the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge, who praised the Commission for its scholarship programme, which he said has transformed the lives of countless Niger Delta youths. The monarch called for more direct interventions in Asaba, particularly to address perennial flooding.
Responding, Chief Ebie congratulated the Asagba on his coronation anniversary and noted Asaba’s rising status as the cultural and creative hub of Nigeria. “Asaba is fast becoming the Nollywood capital of Nigeria,” he said.
The press conference ended with an interactive session between the NDDC leadership, journalists, stakeholders, and development partners, where issues on project delivery and regional collaboration were extensively discussed.
The day’s events were rounded off with the premiere of an NDDC-sponsored feature film titled Making a Difference, directed by award-winning filmmaker Dickson Iroegbu. The film, which celebrates the transformational journey of the Commission, featured an impressive cast including Nollywood veterans Sam Dede, Hilda Dokubo, Nobert Young, and many others. The premiere further underscored the Commission’s engagement with arts and storytelling as tools for advocacy and awareness.
