The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding women and girl-child empowerment programmes across the Niger Delta, with renewed emphasis on entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sustainable livelihood initiatives aimed at promoting economic independence.
Speaking at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Calabar, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the Commission regarded women’s empowerment as a strategic investment in the development of the region and the nation.
Represented by the Assistant Director, Youths, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs, Dr Esther Philip, Ogbuku said the Commission had consistently implemented interventions that enabled women to build sustainable businesses and improve their socio-economic wellbeing.
“Empowering women is synonymous with empowering the nation,” he said, assuring participants that the NDDC would continue to roll out programmes designed to promote wealth creation, self-reliance and entrepreneurship, enabling beneficiaries to support their families and contribute meaningfully to community development.
He noted that the Commission’s initiatives align with its statutory mandate and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing confidence that the International Women’s Day programme would equip participants with practical knowledge and skills needed to enhance their productivity and secure a better future.
Also speaking, the Cross River State Representative on the NDDC Board, Mr Orok Duke, said women and the girl child possess enormous potential to excel in all fields of human endeavour, stressing that they remain indispensable to the development of the Niger Delta.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Administration, Mr Bassey-Ita Duke, he said the Commission remained committed to promoting gender equality and creating opportunities that would enable women to thrive.
According to him, the Board, under the chairmanship of Mr Chiedu Ebie, and the management led by Dr Ogbuku, recognise agriculture as a major catalyst for economic growth, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
He highlighted the Commission’s investments in agriculture, including animal husbandry, fisheries and crop production, as part of efforts to strengthen women’s participation in the sector and improve household incomes.
In a keynote lecture titled “Best Practices for Packaging Certified Products for Export,” a resource person from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Christiana Ekeng, urged entrepreneurs to ensure that all non-oil products intended for export receive the required certification before shipment.
She explained that certification enhances product credibility and improves access to international markets, while proper packaging remains critical to preserving product quality and meeting export standards.
Ekeng identified the three stages of packaging as primary, secondary and tertiary, explaining that primary packaging protects products from damage, while goods must be appropriately packaged and arranged in cartons before export.
The Consultant to the Ukpai Empowerment Foundation, Dr Boma Nathan, commended the NDDC for sustaining programmes that promote women’s economic empowerment across the Niger Delta.
He said empowering women enables them to discover their purpose, pursue their aspirations and attain their full potential, describing the Commission’s interventions as a significant contribution to inclusive development in the region.
