The Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vicky Agala, has emphasised that health insurance takes away catastrophic health expenditure when and where healthcare services are needed. She, therefore, urged Rivers residents to embrace and register with RIVCHPP, which is the state health insurance agency, to give them the opportunity to access quality healthcare services without paying from their pockets.
Dr. Agala made the disclosure at a town hall sensitisation/feedback and enrolment meeting for RIVCHPP’s enrollees in Oghale-Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
The RIVCHPP Executive Secretary, who said that RIVCHPP has enrollees in all the 23 local government areas of the state, however, decried the apathy of the people in accessing healthcare at the facilities. She said that it was the outcome of the data showing poor utilisation of the programme that necessitated the town hall meeting to get feedback.
Dr. Agala specifically mentioned that the utilisation of healthcare for Eleme Local Government Area was disappointing and appealed to the people of the area to register in order to enjoy robust health care services.
Welcoming stakeholders to the town hall meeting, the Administrator of Eleme Local Government Area, Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah encouraged the people of the area to wholeheartedly accept RIVCHPP’s programme because of the benefits that will help them live healthier, promising to partner RIVCHPP to enrol 2000 Eleme citizens and residents into the health insurance scheme.
Speaking at the event, the state representative of Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Dr. Simene Sangha said that beyond the services by RIVCHPP, his body wants to work closely with enrollees of RIVCHPP to identify barriers to services, as to proffer solutions, not only them but also on how to improve on the utilisation of the services.
In an address at the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant on Health to the Administrator of Rivers State, Prof. Chituru G. Orlunwene admonished people of the State to take their health needs seriously, saying that healthcare is expensive, but that if they embrace and register with RIVCHPP, they can have access to quality healthcare services without paying from their pockets at the point of accessing healthcare.
Expressing their gratitude to the state government for making RIVCHPP functional in the state, some beneficiaries of RIVCHPP thanked the government for saving them money and stress and at the same time making it possible for them and their children below five years to enjoy free, but quality healthcare services.
It was a day when eulogies poured in torrents for the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, as eminent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, gathered to celebrate him as he turned 50 on Tuesday, August 19,2025.
The well attended occasion which took place in Abuja was also used to present to the public two books titled, ‘Strategies and Imperative for Developing Niger Delta’ and ‘Rethinking the Niger Delta’ both written by Ogbuku.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu commended the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for his good works, describing him as a game-changer and transformational leader whose work has made an impact in the Niger Delta region.
President Tinubu also charged the NDDC boss to continue to deliver impactful projects that touch lives, empower youth, and give hopes to the communities of the oil-rich region.
Tinubu, who was represented by Chief Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I bring the words in summary of his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As we all know, he is even abroad at the moment, attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. And it is my honour, it is my privilege to represent him here.
“Let me not forget our traditional rulers who have come out in their normal to honour the celebrant. As was said earlier, turning 50, a very special occasion. It is called the golden age, when one looks back with gratitude and ahead with a sense of purpose.
“In Dr Ogbuku’s case, we celebrate not just years, but a life of service, a life of scholarship, a life of achievement. And you’ve been at it, and you were recognised for it almost 30 years ago.
“As I said at the launching of the books, these two books are all about your strategy, your values, and indeed, your ability to execute.”
According to him, Niger Delta is more than a region, it is the economic heartbeat of this country. And it is central to the energy and the environmental future.
“For decades, the story has been difficult. It has been complex with very rich resources on land and water. But serious challenges all the way.
“Our administration’s reforms focus on transparency and accountability resources, investment in infrastructure and human capital. And, of course, empowering communities and the grassroots so they can have a sustainable future.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said that the NDDC has witnessed a rebirth under the leadership of Ogbuku.
Akpabio recalled that when he was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he tried to get NDDC to complete the major electricity project in Ilaje, which is the Okitipupa area of Ondo State.
The Senate President, who said that the project covered four local government areas and many villages, added that those areas were in darkness for over 14 years.
He said the project was completed and commissioned under the leadership of Ogbuku and the current Governing Board of the NDDC.
“NDDC board never used to last up to 10 months. So, consistently, when we were governors, the then President would call us and say bring names. And I said what happened? He said these people are too corrupt, I’m sending them away.
“But here we are, instead of coming here to submit names, to replace you (Ogbuku), we are coming to celebrate you.
“We are celebrating your two years of impactful leadership, two years of focus, two years of collaboration, and two years of work, showing strength and focus in leadership.
“You will not be remembered by just this celebration. You will be remembered for the kind of legacies you leave behind for the good people of Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.
Responding to the flow of eulogies, an emotional Ogbuku thanked President Tinubu for giving him an opportunity as NDDC CEO to make a difference in the Niger Delta region.
He recalled that during his maiden meeting with the president, he expressed concern over the state of NDDC affairs.
“I want to thank Mr. President for not even knowing or trusting me that we could work together to make this difference. And it was because of the charge Mr. President gave me that I and my team today, we decided to do what we are doing.
“Without Mr. President’s charge, without his confidence, without his broad language, probably we would not have passed this charge to us.
“We decided to sit down to ensure that we will give back on Mr. President’s goodwill and kindness.
“The next time I saw Mr. President, made that contact inside the room, what came out from his mouth was a thank you. By that, I mean you have said that you have promised that you will say no, I know, but I have my source of information.
“I will not tell you what you have achieved because I was eager to let you know what you have achieved. He said, I know, I have my source of information. He said thank you.
“And what Mr. President said was, you see, it is that pitch I gave you that created the spark in you. I said thank you. So, I want to thank Mr. President for not only appointing me to the NDDC, but for also giving me that pitch that has created that spark in me today.
“That has brought about a movement in Nigeria that I have peace in Nigeria. So, whatever we have achieved today in NDDC, I give the credit to Mr. President.”
According to him, this is because he decided to take personal interest in NDDC to ensure that NDDC does not fail to guard his watch.
“And he is still very much attentive to our activities and all that we do. So, I want to use this opportunity to thank Mr. President.”
Dr. Ogbuku traced his journey from humble beginnings to national leadership, attributing his success to his parents, teachers, and political mentors.
“I’m here today because of the values my parents instilled in me — discipline, hard work, and faith. I am grateful to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and promise to continue doing my best for the holistic development of the Niger Delta,” he stated.
Dr. Ogbuku also called on Niger Delta governors to collaborate more closely with the commission to fast-track progress and ensure inclusive growth across the region.
“We can only achieve sustainable development through synergy. Together, we can transform the lives of our people.”
The high-profile birthday was attended by an array of prominent leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; former Bayelsa Governor Chief Timipre Sylva; PANDEF Chairman Dr. Godknows Igali; and former NDDC Chairman Timi Alaibe, among others.
The Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala has reiterated that the body will continue to work and collaborate with other stakeholders in the health sector to ensure that citizens and residents of the state have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
Dr. Agala, who gave the assurance in her goodwill message at the launch of the dental and physiotherapy units at Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Port Harcourt, on Monday 18th August, 2025, described, as a great feat, the initiative by the Rivers State Health Management Board.
A statement signed by Idaye Oruigoni, Head, Information/Media Unit of the RIVCHPP, indicated that the Executive Secretary assured that the health insurance agency would leverage the collaborations between the Hospitals Management Board and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to expand care to its enrollees at all the general hospitals in the state, including the Kelsy Harrison Hospital.
The excited Dr. Agala said by the launch of the new units at the hospital that the hospital is now a one-stop shop for enrollees of RIVCHPP that may be referred to the hospital.
The RIVCHPP Executive Secretary announced that RIVCHPP would liaise with the heads of health facilities to work out modalities on how the agency’s enrollees can access care at the general hospitals. She thanked the Rivers State Government for giving the executive order to enrol the formal sector and pensioners into the programme.
Dr. Agala also used the medium to announce that RIVCHPP has started enrolling pensioners into its scheme, expressing optimism that from September, 2025, pensioners will begin to access health care services throughout the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Administrator on Health, Prof. Chituru G Orlunwene commended the Chief Medical Director of Hospital’s Management Board for his ingenuity, describing the launch of the new units at the hospital as a “show of capacity, and unbridled dexterity in leadership.”
Prof. Orlunwene decried the moribund nature of the referral system in the health sector in the state, describing the launch of the new units as a revitalised and reinvigorated approach to the system..
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Dr. Bright Ogbonda said that the board and the hospital decided to enlarge the units of the hospital and to provide solar lighting to the hospital to meet the dire health needs of the people of the state.
For the second consecutive month, Nigeria sustained crude oil production at 1.5 million barrels per day in July 2025. According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) August Monthly Oil Market, Nigeria successfully maintained the organization’s quota.
Following the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said Nigeria stood a chance to get a higher quota from OPEC, if it makes a request for an increase. A move that could yield more revenue to the federal government to enable it to implement the N54 trillion budget of 2025, which will ultimately ease pressure on foreign reserves and reduce borrowing to finance the budget.
The August Monthly Oil Market data from OPEC indicated that while Nigeria recorded 1.505 million barrels per day in June, in July, Nigeria’s average daily production jumped to 1.507 million barrels per day.
Production had dropped to 1.46 million barrels per day in February, 1.40 million barrels per day in March, 1.48 million barrels per day in April, and 1.45 million barrels per day in May. Before then, Nigeria had achieved its highest production level of the year in January, with 1.54 million barrels per day
OPEC sets production caps for member countries as part of efforts to balance global supply and stabilize prices. Nigeria, which relies on crude oil for over 60 percent of its foreign earnings, has in recent months stepped up measures to meet its assigned quota.
Industry reports indicate that the country has been reactivating dormant oil fields, accelerating regulatory approvals, and improving operational efficiencies in the upstream sector to sustain output levels.
As the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, commenced on Monday, 18th August 2025 with the online pre-registration of voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has as recorded 69,376 registrants
The INEC registration portal, which went live at 8.30 am on Monday, had recorded as many as 69,376 Nigerians pre-registered online by 3.30pm, just seven hours after it was opened.
A statement made available to the media by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the portal is available 24 hours every day of the week at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org.
A breakdown of the figure of those registered showed that 33,803 (48.7%) are male while 35,573 (51.3%) are female.
In terms of age, it said that 48,033 (69.2%) are young persons aged 18- 34.
Meanwhile, the Commission said it is set to commence the in-person registration option on Monday, 25th August 2025 at its 811 state and local government offices nationwide from 9.00 am – 3.00 pm during weekdays (Monday to Friday) only.
“This will enable those who prefer the in-person option to register and for the online pre-registrants to complete their registration,” the statement said.
“The two options will proceed simultaneously throughout the duration of the CVR as indicated in the schedule earlier released by the Commission,” it added.
“From next week, the Commission will be giving weekly updates on the CVR, including detailed breakdown by State, gender, age, occupation, and disability
“For emphasis, the public should note that voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who are not registered voters.
“Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law. However, inter-State/FCT and intra-State/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters cards are allowed during the CVR.”
President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, as he marks his 50th birthday
The President, in a statement on Monday, hailed Ogbuku’s leadership and service to the nation and commended him for his roles in the Ijaw Youth Council, Bayelsa State Government, and the National Assembly.
He praised the NDDC’s progress under Ogbuku, particularly in infrastructure renewal, health, agriculture, and environmental remediation across the Niger Delta.
The president extended his best wishes to the NDDC boss, and prayed for good health and wisdom upon him. President Tinubu further wished the NDDC Managing Director many more years of impactful service while urging him to continue his contributions to national development.
With about one month to the end of the six-month period of emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, the people of the state and residents alike, tired and frustrated, have gladly begun a countdown to the end of the unpopular governance structure, which they believe should come to an end by September 17, 2025. Their optimism is based on the fact that the reasons that led to the declaration are no longer tenable.
Recall that President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, attributing the action to what he described as deepening political crisis and governance breakdown, security threats and pipeline vandalism.
Through the emergency rule declaration, President Tinubu suspended the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state House of Assembly for an initial six-month period. He subsequently installed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), former Chief of Naval Staff as Sole Administrator of the state.
However, the declaration of the state of emergency sparked fierce debate over constitutional boundaries with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, and legal experts labelling the suspension of elected officials as unconstitutional, arguing that emergency powers do not extend to dissolving democratically elected governments.
So far, the emergency rule has been in place for five months and has entered its final month. The majority of the people of the state and residents are upbeat that the period of interregnum should be over soon to enable the state to return to normal democratic governance like the other states of the federation. The consensus is that President Tinubu would hearken to the voice of reason and reinstate the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly.
The call for the end of the emergency rule, which began as early as it was announced, has been intensified in the last couple of months following the reconciliation by the former warring groups.
In June this year, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum had called for the immediate lifting of the state of emergency and urged for the full restoration of all suspended democratic structures, as according to the group, “the will of the people must be respected.”
The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum had earlier acknowledged that the “political tensions that pitched two sons of the state- the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara- against each other deeply wounded the soul of the state and cast undeserved shadow on the collective image of the state. The Forum subsequently applauded the reconciliation between both leaders, describing it “as a long awaited relief and a turning point for the state’s political stability.”
With the consolidation of the peace and reconciliation, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended Governor Fubara and suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, were seen together for the first time in many months, attending a function. This public show of reconciliation and peaceful overtures reverberated across the state and signalled the return of peace.
In further response to reconciliation and peaceful overtures, the suspended governor requested his supporters across the state to dismantle all groups and organisations sympathetic to him during the period of the impasse In June, he officially disbanded all his socio-political support groups, including the popular Simplified Movement, in a great display of willingness and acceptance of a peaceful resolution of the disagreements. Speaking at a meeting with members of the now disbanded Simplified Movement in June, which included his Chief of Staff, Ehie Edison, former cabinet members, former LGA chairmen, elders, women and youth leaders, Fubara said the disbandment was “a sacrifice for total peace in the spirit of reconciliation.”
The Atlantic Bell reporters who went round parts of Rivers State report that the people of the state and residents alike are highly optimistic and enthusiastic that with the reconciliation and peace in the state between Wike and Fubara, which their supporters have accepted and keyed into, there would be no justifiable reason to extend the emergency rule.
According to them, the quiet and rancour-free conduct of party primaries and kick-off of campaigns for the LG polls in the state scheduled for August 30, 2025, are pointers to the fact that the state is set for the return of all democratic structures at the expiration of the six-month period in September.
Business owners, contractors, women, and youth groups in the state have all joined in the euphoria of the lifting of the emergency rule when it elapses.
Worrying trends: However, while the majority of the people of the state are highly optimistic that President Tinubu will hearken to their pleas and lift the emergency rule when it elapses by September 17, 2025, a few individuals are still expressing cautious optimism over the lifting of the emergency rule. They fear that recent statements emanating from some influential politicians from outside the state are pointers to the fact that there are elements pushing for an extension of the emergency period, though unjustifiably so.
They point to the recent utterances of a member of the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere, who is also the leader of the National Assembly Emergency Rule Committee, on the state of work at the new Auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly under construction, which described as “stalled”, to be very misleading and geared towards achieving a sinister objective. The cautious optimists further noted that by not caring to meet with the people of the state and feeling the pulse of the people on the streets, business owners, and others, it was a clear indication that the NASS Committee was up to something sinister, which may jeopardise the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
Similarly, they point to the rather awkward and hasty award of contracts, a review of contracts awarded by suspended governor, and signing of contract agreements by the out-going Sole Administrator, with barely one month to the end of the emergency rule as, “raising eyebrows,” as to whether “there is more than meets the eye”.
The recent tour of government-owned media organs where he promised to revamp and re-equip the stations in six months, “if funds are provided,” is according to the cautious optimists, a sign that portends bad omen.
As it is presently, Rivers people are eagerly awaiting the lifting of the state of emergency. Anything short of that by September will be unpalatable to the people of the state. Even Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, said so in his last media chat.
In a move aimed at strengthening leadership and repositioning the Nigerian Army for greater operational effectiveness, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the posting and appointment of several senior officers to key command, instructional, and staff positions across formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, acting Director of Army Public Relations, states that the redeployment includes some principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, two General Officers Commanding, GOCs, corps commanders, commandants of training institutions, and brigade commanders, among other critical appointments within the army’s operational and administrative structure.
Among those appointed as PSOs at Army Headquarters are Major General A.A. Adeyinka, who was posted from the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, NACST, to the Department of Army Logistics as Chief of Logistics; Major General A.A. Adekeye, moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Standard and Evaluation to the Department of Personnel Management as Chief of Personnel Management; and Major General T.B. Ugiagbe, who was redeployed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the Department of Standard and Evaluation as Chief of Standard and Evaluation.
Others include Major General A.A. Idris, redeployed from Defence Headquarters to the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps as Chief of Military Intelligence, and Major General M.O. Erebulu, who moved from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police as Provost Marshal.
Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.
Furthermore, Major General E.A. Anaryu from the Defence Space Administration has been redeployed and appointed Corps Commander, Supply and Transport. Major General S.A. Akesode was posted from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the African Union Verification Mission in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, as Head of Mission. Major General J.E. Osifo moved from the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
Senior officers appointed as GOCs include Major General A.S.M. Wase, who was redeployed from the Department of Training to Headquarters 1 Division/Sector 1 Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, OPFY, as GOC 1 Division/Commander Sector 1. Major General C.R. Nnebeife was appointed General Officer Commanding 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force OPFY
Some of the senior officers appointed as commandants of Nigerian Army Training Institutions are Major General M.O. Ihanuwaze, who moved from the Nigerian Army Finance Insurance Corporation to the Nigerian Army Finance School and Administration as commandant; Major General K.O. Osemwegie, appointed Commandant, Army Signal School; Major General A.J. Aliyu, appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance School; and Major General A.C. Adetoba, redeployed from the Department of Transformation and Innovation to the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management as Commandant.
Other senior officers affected in the redeployment include Brigadier General M. Jimoh, from HQ Operation FANSAN YAMMA to HQ 1 Brigade as Commander; Brigadier General N.E. Okoloagu, from Army War College Nigeria to 2 Brigade as Commander; and Brigadier General A.A. Bello, from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry to 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 JTF South South Operation DELTA SAFE as Commander.
The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed senior officers to redouble their efforts and commitment to duty in sustaining the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security as they assume their new appointments.
He also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops as being paramount to operational success.
Recently, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) rolled out the drums and the red carpet to celebrate and mark its 25 years existence, as an interventionist agency, set up to develop the Niger Delta. The Celebration which transversed the nine states that make up the commission was with such aplomb, signifying a satisfaction that comes with milestone achievements.
While the generality of the people of the Niger Delta expected a more soberly celebration considering its two decades and half of underwhelming performances, the commission was jubilant and ebullient in its celebration.
Certainly, while one could argue that 25 years would not be enough to change the story of the perennial underdevelopment of the Niger Delta by a commission, whose funding, is oftentimes stifled, yet the mild expectation of the people in terms of tangible people-centered development have not been seriously tackled, much more being met.
The NDDC, established in 2000 to facilitate and fast track development in the oil-rich, but impoverished and once neglected Niger Delta, has faced constant criticism over its failure to rise to demands of the people of the area who are bewildered that inspite the nearly N7 trillion which the commission received since its establishment, one can hardly point to any legacy project embarked upon and completed by the commission.
An interventionist agency of this magnitude is not just about building few kilometres of roads and school buildings, but ought to embark on legacy projects that have linkage effects in the region, ensuring proper integration and interaction among the people.
Director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was guest speaker at the 25th anniversary celebration of the NDDC, did not mince words in her address. “Over N7 trillion has been sunk into the NDDC since inception. How many solid roads have you built? The Niger Delta still ranks low in human capital development. A lot needs to be done to meet the expectations of the people,” she said at the occasion. She equally urged the commission to deliver measurable results.
There is no doubt that two decades of the NDDC have been a story of corruption and mismanagement, at least in the past. These past instances of corruption led to widespread criticism and a perception that funds were not properly utilized. This eroded public trust and oftentimes public outrage over stories of homogenous amounts spent by the commission on things that had little bearing on the lives of the people. Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 described the NDDC as an “ATM” for politicians. It was a veiled reference to the corruption that was systemic and endemic in the NDDC. “The mismanagement of resources and lack of delivery of projects have made the commission an ATM for politicians”, the former president said in frustration over ugly stories that emanated from the commission.
Speaking in 2019 about the inability of the NDDC to make meaningful impact on the lives of the people, then Miniser of the Niger Delta Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is currently Nigeria’s Senate President, declared that the commission had not performed well since it was established. Lamenting the huge indebtedness of the commission, he declared, “the impact of NDDC on the entire Niger Delta region would have been more if not for those things militating against development- personal interest, political interests, interferences here and there. The NDDC was strategic, it was a child of necessity. I believe that the NDDC has not performed well. I don’t want to say that you have failed the region, I am saying that you have not performed well”.
Similarly, Festus Keyamo, a junior minister then in the same ministry of Niger Delta was more equivocal when he declared while addressing management and staff of the NDDC that, “the vision of the commission was lost over time”. He went further to say, “I recall that a few weeks ago, the VP of this country did say publicly that the commission has failed, that is the truth. In terms of commensurability of the project viz-a-viz the income that is accurable to the commission, we have failed.
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan while speaking during the 25 years celebration get together expressed his bewilderment over the state of affairs in the NDDC. He summed up his feelings thus: “In the first 25 years, the NDDC had had over 11 CEO’s. I thank the President (Bola Tinubu) for retaining the current CEO. Let the next 25 years be defined by legacy projects, not just visions and promises. For over 20 years, NDDC operated from a rented apartment at N300m per year, without connection to the national grid. Yet diesel contracts were preferred over a one-time N70m grid connection”. Indeed, talking about legacy projects, it is intriguingly disappointing that the NDDC, after spending millions of naira to develop a Master plan, could not implement up to 20 percent of what was contained in the plan before it expired. Yet, as the commission celebrated its 25th anniversary with so much funfare, there is no current Master plan, making it even more intriguing on how the commission intends to achieve a holistic integrated approach of the development of the region.
Where is the much touted coastal railway which was aimed at interconnecting the nine states of the Niger Delta? Has it left the drawing board of the NDDC? That would have been one legacy project which the commission would have celebrated in 25 years and people would applaud it. It would have been transformational, economically uplifting in terms of movement of goods, enhancement of mobility of the people and creating job opportunities that would have come, not just from the construction of the rail line, but it’s operation. Aside road infrastructure, the other issues bedevilling the Niger Delta, such as poverty, unemployment, and environmental depredation remain unaffected by the NDDC in its 25 years history. The only attempt at environmental intervention through the clearing of the water hyacinth because a conduct for sleaze.
However, in spite these lamentations of woes and inefficiencies, some Nigerians agree that the NDDC has made significant interventions in the Niger Delta to warrant rolling out the drums to celebrate. Such persons point to its focus on infrastructure development, programs, particularly those related to skills acquisition, agricultural training and foreign overseas scholarship. Perhaps, one issue that has rekindled hope that the NDDC might rise to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the region is the reappointment of Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the commission. President Bola Tinubu’s masterstroke in not adding to the high turn over of chief executives of the commission has brought some stability and a sense of direction. Samuel Ogbuku, a passionately focused and self-motivated entrepreneur has brought in a new sense of identity aimed at shifting focus from the dark parts of the NDDC to a new one of positivity and people-centered development. He, no doubt, understands the feeling of the people about the commission and every step taken so far seems to send a message to the people that things are turning around for good. Speaking during an interactive meeting between the executive management and staff of the commission at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku pointed out that the commission has opened a new chapter after the conclusion of its 25 years anniversary celebration. “People are now willing to do business with us. We are now telling our stories ourselves. We have embraced our failures, made amends, and are now moving foward into a new chapter. Today, we have a new identity, which is one of the key indicators of success and performance. Today, NDDC is one of the best performing agencies in the country. The difference is good leadership combined with good followership”, according to him.
Ogbuku’s Optimism stems from positive comments from stakeholders towards efforts to improve transparency, accountability, including bodies like KPMG to review and strengthen its corperate governance. The NDDC initiative like the “light up the Niger Delta” project has been generally acknowledged as timely and was aptly described by President Tinubu as “commendable” which “has not only reduced night crimes and enhanced security, but has also extended trading hours and improved social life across the region”. As a new countdown begins for the NDDC, it is imperative that they heed the admorition of Mr President that, “beyond infrastructural development, the NDDC must continue to prioritise human capital development, as it remains the primary index of progress. Projects and programmes that directly impact the lives of ordinary people in the rural communities must be prioritised.” It is cherry to learn that the NDDC under the leadership of Samuel Ogbuku is working it’s way towards ensuring that agriculture is giving priority attention in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at promoting food security in the region. The proposed agriculture summit for the Niger Delta region in conjunction with the state governments in the region should be accorded priority. There is no better time than now to begin that process of ensuring that youths in the region are meaningfully engaged through agriculture. As one who had interest in agriculture, there is great enthusiasm and optimism that Ogbuku’s leadership will usher in the push to support agriculture and change the narrative in the Niger Delta region in the years ahead. Let the next milestone bring greater celebrations.
Determined to curb exploitative practices in schools and promote uniformity in teaching, and ensurethat teachers are focused on students’ academic achievements, the Imo State Government has banned graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS 3 students. The government has also banned annual changes of textbooks.
A memo signed by the Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, dated August 15, 2025, was directed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders.
Under the policy, graduation ceremonies will now only be permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and students finishing Senior Secondary School 3, SSS3, in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system
The government further directed that textbooks must have a minimum four-year lifespan to allow reuse by siblings and ease the financial burden on parents. Schools were also warned against deviating from the approved list of textbooks.
Ikegwuoha explained that the measures were designed to curb exploitative practices in schools, promote uniformity in teaching, and ensure that attention remains on students’ academic achievements.
