The Rivers State Government has urged stakeholders to put in place effective mechanisms for monitoring and implementing resolutions reached at the 2026 Niger Delta Law and Development Summit, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when laws and policies are translated into concrete actions.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Law and Development Summit 2026 held at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, the governor said the successful implementation of legal frameworks, sound policies and good governance principles remained critical to addressing the developmental challenges facing the Niger Delta.
Fubara commended the NDDC for reviving the summit after an 18-year hiatus, describing its theme, “The Role of Law in Driving Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta,” as both timely and relevant.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Rivers State Government to initiatives that promote justice, economic growth, social development and the welfare of people across the Niger Delta region.
The governor also lauded the commission’s management and staff for achievements recorded in infrastructure, healthcare delivery, youth and women empowerment, as well as other intervention programmes across the region.
According to him, the law should not merely exist as a regulatory instrument but should serve as a vehicle for justice, equity, prosperity and inclusive development.
Fubara further urged stakeholders to embrace peace, security, social inclusion and dialogue as indispensable pillars for sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, said the commission had adopted innovative strategies to overcome longstanding operational challenges.
He noted that the board had repositioned the commission, strengthened internal governance structures and accelerated development programmes through renewed commitment and creative leadership.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described law as the foundation of every civilised society, adding that the commission had moved from a transactional to a transformational management model.
He stressed that sustainable development depends on strong institutions rather than strong individuals, insisting that institutional capacity remains central to the region’s progress.
Delivering the keynote address, former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, Mr Henry Odein Ajumogobia, underscored the critical role of law in advancing sustainable development, environmental protection and social justice.
Ajumogobia observed that despite the Niger Delta’s enormous contribution to Nigeria’s economy, the region continues to grapple with environmental degradation and underdevelopment. He therefore called for stronger institutions and stricter enforcement of existing laws to drive meaningful and lasting development.
