SYF & Niger Delta Opinion Leaders Meet With Govt Officials In Abuja As They Drum Support For Dr. Samuel Ogbuku

At the meeting, they said that they were compelled to react to unfounded calls by a faceless group, South-South Youth Federation, which may have been sponsored to carry out campaign of calumny against the Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC Executive Management.

The National President of Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria, Most Snr. Comrade Emeni Ibe, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders said, “Following spurious and unfounded allegations leveled against the recently constituted Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Executive Management led by Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku, we are compelled to set the records straight after our discoveries”.

“We put it on record that the NDDC board has been performing creditably well in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“We have investigated and found out that all the allegations leveled against the Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC Executive management were fake, false, baseless, unfounded and unsubstantiated. It must be noted that this is the first time a Comrade in the struggle for the betterment of the Niger Delta Region is managing the NDDC.”

“In a resounding show of support at the end of an Executive Management roundtable conference, the SYF, opinion leaders and youth groups had on 21st April, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on Dr. Ogbuku led Executive Management based on demonstrated commitment to advancing the development agenda of the Niger Delta Region.”

“We hereby once again unequivocally state that the incessant removal and dissolution of the previous Executive Management Boards was part of the factors that had hampered the development of the Niger Delta Region. We therefore, call on the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore and reject any call for dissolution of the present executive management led by Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku. The campaign of calumny only shows that there are plans to disrupt the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the region.”

According to the SYF, dissolutions of the previous boards led to abandonment of projects and programmes, which should have benefited the people in the region

Speaking about the passing of the vote of confidence, Most Snr Comrade Amb Emeni Ibe, National President Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria, said, “Our people are confident of the present board and management. We therefore, appeal to the so called petitioners to close ranks and work with Chief Samuel Ogbuku led NDDC Executive Management in order to move the Niger Delta Region forward in line with the vision and Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

“We have pledged our total support to the Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku led Executive Management. The endorsement by the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria, opinion leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders underscores a unified voice in support of continuity, efficiency and progress within the NDDC.”

“We also exonerate the Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC Executive Management of any wrong dealing during the recent payment of contracts from N1m to N50m with a promise to clear outstanding debts before the end of the year.”

“The confidence on the Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku and his team reflects our collective belief in their ability to steer NDDC towards impactful and sustainable development initiatives. We therefore, use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region to strongly throw their support behind the recently constituted board by Mr. President.”

Also in Abuja on Friday with the SYF National President, Snr, Comrade Emeni Ibe, who adopted the proceedings, were Comrade Tega Uba (Youth Leader, Imo State), Prince Oku James (Director of Finance, SYF), Comrade Rufus Solomon (Vice President, South-South SYF), Comrade Kenneth Immanuel (Youth Leader, Ondo State), Comrade Chibuike Ezechukwu (Vice President, SouthEast), Imabo Peter (Youth Leader, Cross River), Comrade Jonathan Priye (Youth Leader, Bayelsa) and Hon. Mrs. Blessing Opara (Secretary General).