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Group Lauds  Tinubu,s Support For Dr Ogbuku-led  NDDC,s Leadership Performance

Published

3 months ago

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
By David Owei, Bayelsa
A coalition of youth groups in the Niger Delta, has revealed that Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is gaining massive support from the region due to the outstanding performance of the current leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The groups also stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the 2027 presidential election on a platter of gold if the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC continues with the good work it is doing in the region.
The Over 20 youth groups in the Niger Delta, including the Crusaders for Niger Delta Community Development (CNDCD), and the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), made their positions known after a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday to assess the achievements of the commission since the current board was inaugurated.
They had taken a tour of most projects undertaken and completed by the current board, including ongoing projects and inherited ones which are spread across the length and breadth of the Niger Delta; saying that they are quite impressed.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the youth leadership commended Dr. Ogbuku and his men for the people-oriented projects spread across the region which have made life more meaningful to the people.
The communique was jointly signed by Amb. Jesse Ese, the National Coordinator of Crusaders for Niger Delta Community Development (CNDCD), Pastor Jude Teidor Olayinka, the National President of Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), Comrade Tonbra Kingdom Yeri, Chairman, Council Of Organisational Leaders (COOL) IYC.
Others include, Amb. Prince Tonye Jeminimiema, Rt. Hon. Speaker, Rivers State Youth Leaders Assembly, Comrade Amb. Rufus Ekewoi Jefferson, National President, Niger Delta Youths for Practical Development, Comrade Datonye Iketubosin, Coalition of Ijaw Youths, CIY, Comrade George Okitikpi, Secretary, Niger Delta for Non-violence Youth Leaders Assembly, Comrade Tonye Richmond Dokubo, Chairman, Association for Non Violence in Niger Delta (ANND), Prince Benjamin Joshua, South South Youth Leaders Coalition for Eradication of Poverty.
Also, Comrade Chinedu Anokwute, Imo Community Youth Leaders Association, Comrade Ibifubara Jackreece, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Ethnic Youths Roundtable, Comrade McPrince Mbu, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth for Environmental Rights Protection (NDYERP), Engr. Tamunosaki O. Ibieneye, National Coordinator,  League of Niger Delta Professionals, Comrade Dimieari Pepple, National President, Ibom Youths Alliance (Akwa Ibom), Comrade Alfred Harry, Chairman, Niger Delta Young Entertainer’s Forum (Delta State), Comrade Michael Omachi, President, United Rivers Coalition, Comrade Princess Dawari George Charity, President, Prestigious Ladies of Nigeria, and Mmedara Idorenyin Akpan, National Secretary, Youth Advocacy for Greater Efficiency in Governance, amongst others.
The communique read by Pastor Jude Olayinka of NDYCPP thanked President Tinubu for the appointment of the current leadership of the board which they described as a round peg in a round hole; saying that for the first time since the formation of the NDDC, the commission is meeting the developmental and human capacity needs of the people of the region.
It says, “When you talk of transiting from transaction to transformation, it means that policy framework, programmes should be laid in such a way that it makes greater room for continuity and effective and efficient service delivery on the part of the institution that is driving it.”
“If the institution has no solid foundation on ground, it will create room for inefficiency, ineffectiveness, laxity and all other vices, but the current NDDC board has laid a very good foundation, first of all for management, and then the workers – in line with internationally accepted standards and policies; setting the pace for regional prosperity, educational improvement and advancement, economic growth, health, infrastructure and every other thing, and these are things everybody can see.”
“Look at the scholarships in the educational sector, foreign scholarship. The processes to gain the scholarship are very fair, credible, transparent and it encourages healthy competition for people to thrive.”
“Look at his programmes with the first lady. So, even in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, they are trying to touch lives, and don’t forget that it is only recently the federal government is approving their budget.”
“So, with this budget being released, you can see that a good foundation has already been laid and development will now come in, so this is an A team, and everybody from the MD to the least are all seasoned technocrats.”
“Look at the robust engagements with all stakeholders…, and it is not just engagement like a teaparty affair, all the ideas and resolutions brought in by stakeholders are what the NDDC is using to work, and so the people now have a say on how they want their areas to be developed – these are the things endearing people to this Tinubu’s government.”
“Don’t forget, people were thinking the NDDC would be run based on political party affiliation – where it is just a party thing and only members of the APC will benefit, but Ogbuku is carrying everybody along irrespective of their political parties.”
“Look at their relationship with the state governors, even those who are not members of the APC, it is very robust, and everyone can see the healthy engagement that they have. You can see the humility of the current leaders of the commission.”
“Also, look at the stakeholders, the ethnic nationalities – the Ogbuku-led NDDC is touching every facet of the society, none is left behind.”
“Even the youths, none is left behind – all shades of the youth bodies are being carried along.”
“Look at the light system, the power system. Knowing the high cost of generating power, the solar system became a magic wand; causing robust transformation in the communities, thereby reducing insecurity and causing commercial activities to be done all through the night.”
“People are beginning to have more comfort doing their businesses and everybody is happy, and we hear on a very strong authority that the NDDC will embark on solar powered borehole systems across Niger Delta communities.”
“And all these things are meant to address major problems bedeviling our communities – lack of light, good educational system and water. And don’t forget, some states are seriously challenged by cholera pandemic mostly caused and spread by lack of portable drinking water, and if these solar boreholes are put in place, most of these health problems caused by drinking of contaminated water will no longer be there.”
“Also, this current leadership has done a great deal when you talk of continuity of projects. It is out of this world that any government would come and say we want to inherit abandoned projects, knowing the political mentality of our people, that no matter how much you try to complete abandoned projects, it is those who initiated the project that will be given the credit; failing to understand that it is the person who finished it that did the greatest job and should take the credit. But, despite that, Ogbuku and his team say they are ready to finish every abandoned project undertaken by the NDDC.”
“Seriously, this administration needs a pat on the back, they need encouragement from all sectors. Look at the youth internship training – we are talking about the Project Hope that is training people on vocational skills.”
“Most of the international communities you see, the Chinese, Koreans, Egyptians in our construction sites are not academically oriented – they come to work in the country with vocational certificates that they are using to market themselves across the globe.”
“Most of the Koreans you see working in the LNG site only possess mechanical and technical vocational skills and craftsmanship, and that is what is selling. It is the vocational skill that they use in building LNG there, only few of them are educated. Training our youths in this skill is a clear indication that, in no distant time, Niger Deltans can comfortably start and finish the construction of LNG plant and even export labour.”
“So, building vocational skills is the foundation for industrialization, just like America did.”
“Now, look at it, the youth internship scheme is meant to train 10,000 youths, but you see a situation where over 3 million people are applying – meaning about 2,990,000 people will not be selected, and the process is very credible, so it’s going to take time, and those that are not selected will be agitated, you know, but they should give the board more time.”
“The bottom line is that they are focused, and they have the ambition and political will to do it. And so far, everyone can see that the team has a very tall vision to translate the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president to every nook and cranny of the Niger Delta.”
“This has caused massive regional love and support for the Tinubu-led government, because, the government they see is the one close to them which is the  NDDC Board representing the Federal Government at the communities with palpable impact, and that is the way the government operates.”
“The superb performance of the NDDC is towards giving democratic dividends to the good people of Niger Delta, and that is causing Niger Delta Youths, Elders, Women and politicians (across party divide) to support the federal government.”
“So, as long as the NDDC and the Niger Delta people are concerned, Tinubu is working very effectively,  it means Tinubu is working very well in that sector, and for us in the Niger Delta, the only sector that is working is the NDDC.”
“So, if you ask the average Niger Delta stakeholders and the common man who are benefiting from the programmes and projects of the NDDC, they will tell you President Tinubu is on the verge of making history in the Niger Delta and that is true.”
“Because as the NDDC is engaging the people, it is Tinubu’s government that is engaging the people, and they are engaging with their agenda, and that is what governance is all about, policies that have direct bearing on the people. Things that the people see, feel and enjoy, and with that, they know that these people are working.”
“So, as far as they are concerned, the Tinubu-led government is working  because the NDDC is working optimally, consequently, these efforts are bringing massive support for the Tinubu government – from the lens of the youths, critical stakeholders and leaders of ethnic nationalities, this administration is working.”
“For example, during the past Christmas, the intervention of the Tinubu government through the NDDC brought joy and succour to the people, which greatly complemented the state governments’ support to the locals, if NDDC didn’t step in, so many people would not have been able to celebrate the Christmas.”
“Leadership succeeds through delegation of functions, and if the people assigned to do those jobs are working effectively, then the government is succeeding from that sector, because if people want to analyze, they will analyze success and failure sector by sector.”
“We, the coalition of various youth groups, sat down to analyze deeply, and we found out that the current NDDC Board is working effectively, and people are feeling the dividends, and people who were very far from the commission are now coming close because of the good works of the Board members.”
“Irrespective of party divide, irrespective of ethnicity, everyone is being carried along, so this administration should be encouraged and not pulled down because it has not reached your turn.”
“Even us, the coalition of youth groups, we have not benefited, but we are not angry going to the press to make bogus accusations, we are still on a very long queue and we know that one day, it will get to our turn.”
“The members of various groups present here also registered for the youth internship and Project Hope, if peradventure some of them don’t scale through, it doesn’t mean the NDDC is partial or ineffective, it’s an ongoing process that will accommodate all qualified applicants in subsequent batches, the issue with our youths is that everybody wants to be in the first batch,” the communique added.
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Oil & Gas

NLNG Launches VIBES As Economic Empowerment Scheme For Host Communities In Rivers

Published

15 hours ago

on

April 28, 2025

By

Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas
By Our Correspondent
In an effort to empower youths of Niger Delta region in vocational scheme, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has relaunched one of its key economic empowerment programmes formerly known as Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) as a way of spurring the growth of small businesses and youths within it’s over 110 host communities in Rivers State.
The new scheme, now known as Vocational, Innovation, Business and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), according to the company is aimed at ensuring growth and sustainability of small businesses owned and managed by previous YES beneficiaries.
Speaking at the relaunch event on Monday in Port Harcourt, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr Sophia Horsfall said VIBES is a deliberate programme to engender entrepreneurial knowledge, and the networks needed to grow entrepreneurs and change-makers in our communities.
Dr Horsfall who was represented at the event by the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle, explained that the scheme which is in line with NLNG’s vision of improving lives sustainably, was aimed at not only empowering the youths of it’s host communities but also develop and the society by extension.
She said, “NLNG believes that entrepreneurship is not just about starting and running a business, it is about creating opportunities that uplift the communities to drive economic growth and spark positive social change.
She disclosed that over 1,400 youths from NLNG’s host and pipeline communities in Rivers state had been trained in 10 different empowerment programmes since inception of YES in 2004.
She added that less than 300 are said to be operating viable business till date.
According to her, the youths were trained in different crafts such as; Automotive, Advanced welding, Catering and Hotel management, Fashion Designing and Cosmetology, Agriculture and Farm Management, Information and Communication Technology as well as Photography and Video Production.
She further stated that the NLNG believes that VIBES will foster an environment where individuals can create businesses, generate employment, and become innovators.
“This belief drives our commitment to nurturing local capacity and enabling individuals to become creators of jobs, wealth, and lasting impact”
Explaining further, she said the programme is a modern approach to economic empowerment which “offers enhanced support through networking opportunities, grants, resources, and mentorship to help participants refine and scale up their ideas.
“VIBES came into force last year as a way of refining the implementation of the company’s YES programme, which was initially designed to make the participating youths economically and socially responsible and self-reliant through guided technical and managerial development training.
“In conceptualizing VIBES, NLNG assembled experts in entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology and innovations and several other fields for continued training and mentorship of the select business operators to ensure continued survival, growth and sustainability of such businesses.”
Dr Horsfall further added that VIBES will provide comprehensive business training, which includes courses on financial management, marketing, strategic planning, law and legal practices and more.
 It shall also provide personalized advisory services and structured mentorship from seasoned business to the participants.
She disclosed that beneficiaries will be administered professional, practical, participative trainings designed to build robust technical and managerial capacity.
Participants in the top 50 according to her, will receive a grant of $1,300 each, disbursed in two tranches. This funding, she said is intended to help upscale their business and as part of a broader support system that includes mentorship, networking, and additional advisory services.
“In the end, the VIBES Alumni Network will be created and is designed to provide continued mentorship, networking, and support after the completion of the programme, helping past beneficiaries to share experiences and access further opportunities.
Economic Empowerment is one of the four pillars of NLNG’s community development drive. Others are education, infrastructure development and healthcare,” she said.
Previous “YES” beneficiaries who shared their testimonies during the launch of the VIBES, thanked the NLNG for the privilege given to them, and also commended the company for their commitment in carrying out their corporate social responsibilities, especially in developing youths from their host community and the region by extension.
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Oil & Gas

Don’t Be Like SPDC, Diri Tells Renaissance Energy

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 16, 2025

By

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa state flanked by management of Renaissance Africa Energy Company limited

 

By David Owei, Baylesa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited that having acquired the assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), it should operate differently from the former owners of the oil firm.

The Bayelsa governor also urged the company to incorporate the interests of host state governments in its operations in order to reduce conflicts in host communities.

Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday when he received the management of Renaissance Africa Energy, including its chairman, Dr. Layi Fatona, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, and other officials in Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor explained that before SPDC divested its assets, host communities were short-changed because the proceeds that accrued to them were grossly inadequate and resulted in agitations by state governments for a better deal.

“When we heard that SPDC had divested, we advised that the new company carries the host states along because part of the issues with the previous operator were that they were seen more like buccaneers. They were like people who came to the communities to collect and in return gave nothing back.

“Of course, the other party that also enjoys the oil arrangement is the federal government. Even out of protests and agitations, what the Niger Delta states get is a paltry 13 per cent.

“There is nothing wrong if states are co-owners with you even if it is a little percentage and that is what l have been pushing for. l think it is not too late now that we have our own people there.

“If we are co-owners, there is even the tendency that we will protect it more just as we are doing with the 13 per cent. See what you can do to include the interest of Bayelsa State.”

Senator Diri, who expressed dissatisfaction with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noted that, “under the act, the federal government and oil companies cut off the states and local governments and deal directly with the communities. Now we receive a lot of protests from the communities. It is only when trouble comes that they remember that there is a state government and a local government.

“But you have now come in. So please, do not be the buccaneers that people used to know about SPDC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and all other oil companies that have operated on our land.”

The Bayelsa helmsman commended the management of the oil firm for acquiring SPDC, which had hitherto been dominated by foreigners for decades, saying that it was historical and something to be proud of.

“The good thing is that we have the same people that have been in the oil industry and have understudied and have been exposed to the intricacies. l hope that you are not going to make the same mistakes and that you are going to see the states and communities as part and parcel of your operations,” he said.

Diri assured of the state government’s commitment to partner with the company on energy security, adding that his administration was procuring a 60-megawatt gas turbine for independent power supply to the state.

He also appealed to the company to look in the issues of environmental pollution, stressing that as it had acquired the assets of SPDC, it should equally acquire the liabilities.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, said the delegation was in the state to introduce the company and its vision to the government having acquired SPDC’s assets.

He sought the state government’s collaboration in the area of energy security under the administration’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda to help support Bayelsa’s development.

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, said the company recognised Bayelsa as being supportive to its predecessor (Shell) and commended Governor Diri for his visionary leadership.

Attah noted that the company intends to be Africa’s leader in energy security and facilitate industrialization using domestic gas for the interest of Nigeria, especially Bayelsa which has huge potential in gas.

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Oil & Gas

Breaking: Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price by 3.5% to N835 per litre

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 16, 2025

By

In a bid to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians  Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.


The new price is set at N835 per litre, down from N865 per litre, marking a 3.5 per cent decrease.
This price adjustment follows the recent decline in global crude oil prices, which have dropped to $64 per barrel from over $70 per barrel in recent weeks.

The refinery had previously reduced its gantry price from N880 to N865 per litre; however, oil marketers did not pass on the savings to consumers.

The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, continues to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

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