The Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended the management and board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for supporting the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies with critical infrastructure across the Niger Delta.
Aneke gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, where he highlighted several development projects executed by the commission to enhance security operations in the region.
He said the NDDC’s interventions, including the installation of solar streetlights and the provision of 713 solar inverters, had significantly improved safety and operational efficiency.
The Air Chief also praised the commission for donating a multi-purpose facility to the Nigerian Air Force in Kolo‑Otuoke, Bayelsa State. The facility now hosts the Nigerian Air Force’s Administrative and Management School, as well as a physical education and skills acquisition centre.
According to him, the training centre—relocated from Kaduna—serves as a mark of appreciation for the commission’s contributions to the force and will provide learning opportunities for Nigerians, foreigners and NDDC personnel.
Aneke noted that the NDDC’s mandate of promoting socio-economic development in the Niger Delta aligns with the Nigerian Air Force’s responsibility of providing a secure environment for national growth and development.
He appealed to the commission to consider rehabilitating and equipping Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centres with modern facilities that could serve as training hubs.
The Air Chief also sought NDDC’s intervention in providing accommodation for Air Force personnel deployed to Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba and Warri.
Responding, the Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, said the NDDC remained committed to partnerships with both public and private institutions to drive development and strengthen security in the region.
Ogbuku described terrorism as a threat that could spread if not properly addressed, while commending the Nigerian Air Force for its efforts in tackling insecurity.
“There can be no development without peace. What we do in the Niger Delta is to support security agencies because peace is critical to development,” he said.
He added that the commission’s “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative had illuminated communities across the region, helping to curb militancy and criminal activities while boosting commerce.
Ogbuku also commended the Air Force for maintaining facilities donated by the commission and appreciated the service for allowing NDDC staff to participate in training programmes at the newly relocated School of Administration and Management.
He expressed confidence that the partnership between the commission and the Nigerian Air Force would continue to strengthen peace and development in the Niger Delta.
