Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Sunday applauded President Bola Tinubu for insisting on competence in the composition of current board.
Ogbuku noted that the new board made up of highly experienced people from diverse fields will collectively work for the urgent development of the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku spoke during a reception organized in his honour by the people of Yiba-Ama Community formerly known as Oruma in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
He said that the honour done to him was an expression of appreciation by his people and a mandate for him to do more in developing the Niger Delta region.
He said the new management team in NDDC is committed to the transformation of the Niger Delta region and reversing the years of infrastructural decay in the region.
He said: “I have been recognised as an Ambassador of my people. I am happy that members of the NDDC Board are here with me because we have decided to work as a team.
“The new Board is made up of highly experienced people from diverse fields. collectively, we will facilitate the urgent development of the Niger Delta region.
“I can assure you that this team is committed to the transformation of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
The Chairman designate of NDDC, Chiedu Ebie, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged the Niger Delta stakeholders to forge stronger bonds and collaborate to pave the way for a brighter future for the oil-rich region.
The NDDC Chairman said the event was an endorsement of the collective commitment of Niger Deltans to realising the full potential of the region.
Ebie, who was represented by the Executive Director Projects designate on the NDDC Board, Mr Victor Antai, said that the gathering was a testament to the respect and admiration people have for Ogbuku.
He said: “We are privileged to have Ogbuku as the MD/CEO of the NDDC, a position that reflects his commitment to fostering growth and prosperity in the Niger Delta.
“We celebrate Chief Ogbuku not only for his personal achievements but also for his unwavering dedication to the betterment of our region.
“Through his visionary leadership, we have witnessed tremendous strides in infrastructure development, community empowerment, and sustainable growth,” he said.
In a welcome address by the secretary of the planning committee, Ishmael Emein, the Yiba-Ama community applauded the efforts of Ogbuku in transforming the Niger Delta region.
He said, “The Yiba-Ama community, his maternal home, has honoured him with a chieftaincy title, Ama Tondi 1 of Tugbeni (Oruma) Land, meaning the one that lightens the community.
“Surprisingly, just after his appointment as the MD of the NDDC, solar light is now shining in almost every community,” he said.
The NDDC boss was conferred with the traditional title of Ama Tondi 1 of Tugbeni by the Paramount Ruler of Oruma Community, Pere Amakiri amidst pomp and pageantry.