ONC PG Applauds Transparent Stewardship As Obagi-HCDT Accounts For ₦2.54 Billion Ekpeye Fund

The President General of notable Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress, ONC, Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP AP, has commended the transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship demonstrated at the recent Obagi Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) Ekpeye Cluster Town Hall Stakeholders’ Engagement held at Ekpeye House, Ahoada Main Town.

Ambassador Emeni Ibe praised the Board of Trustees for presenting a comprehensive financial account of the Ekpeye Cluster Fund.

Delivering a compelling financial presentation, Hon. Chigbo Sam Eligwe, PhD, a member of the Board of Trustees, disclosed that the Ekpeye Cluster received a total of ₦2,540,878,437.76 between 2023 and 2025. He explained that ₦68,035,719.40 was expended in 2024, while ₦752,005,018.67 had been utilised in 2025 to date, bringing the total expenditure to ₦820,040,738.07 and leaving an available balance of ₦1,720,837,699.69.

He further highlighted that the funds had been judiciously invested in scholarships, capacity development, infrastructure, empowerment, education and other community development programmes, affirming the Board’s commitment to prudent financial management and measurable development across the Ekpeye Cluster.

Further reinforcing the credibility of the stewardship report, Mr. Christopher Jin delivered a meticulous project-by-project analysis of the expenditures, providing stakeholders with a clear and sequential explanation of how the funds were deployed.

His presentation demonstrated transparency, accountability and value for money, while effectively dispelling misconceptions surrounding the management of the Ekpeye Trust Fund.

The leadership of Orashi National Congress, ONC, called on Ekpeye sons and daughters to embrace brotherhood, unity, peace and genuine love, stressing that enduring development can only flourish where there is trust, harmony and collective responsibility.

He urged all stakeholders to rise above personal interests, support transparent leadership and work together in advancing the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.

The ONC commended the Board of Trustees for its openness and courage in rendering a public account of its stewardship.ONC described the engagement as a commendable demonstration of transparency, accountability and participatory governance, urging stakeholders to sustain the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and responsible leadership as the surest path to accelerated community development.

The stakeholders’ engagement attracted an impressive gathering of traditional rulers, community leaders, legal practitioners, clergy, academics, technocrats, youths and other critical stakeholders, who applauded the comprehensive financial disclosures and expressed renewed confidence in the stewardship of the Ekpeye representatives on the Obagi HCDT Board.

The ONC noted that the detailed financial presentation has significantly strengthened public trust, justified the confidence reposed in the Ekpeye representatives and further exonerated them from unfounded allegations of financial misappropriation.