Public opinion and perception, which is what people think or say about any human, institution or brand is very key. Countries, leaders, organizations and brands that know the potency of the above places so much premium and also commit a lot of fortune to ensuring adequate projection, promotion and protection of their images and identities.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which was established on 5th June, 2000 through Act of Parliament during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration as an interventionist agency for the primary purpose of developing the Niger Delta region has done so much in the areas of human capital and infrastructural development, yet it remains one of the agencies and public institutions that is grappling with dented image problem due to negative perceptions resulting from many events and information about successive administrations of the Commission.
In the light of the above, the National President of the Southern Youth Foundation, SYF, Most Snr Comrade Emeni Ibe, said that his organisation and other Niger Delta Youth groups are throwing their weight behind the ongoing rebranding and repositioning of the NDDC by the MD/CEO.
He made this known in Port Harcourt, Rivers State days ago when he stated that Chief Samuel Ogbuku PhD, the Managing Director/CEO of NDDC, is the number one Ambassador of the Commission.
“His disposition at this point in time is a welcome development.”
“Successive interventionists agencies in the Niger Delta like the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) that was established in 1961, the Niger Delta Development Authorities that was established in 1976 and later renamed Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) in the same 1976 and the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) that was established in 1992 had challenges and flaws even though they do not undermine their respective successes, but public opinions and perceptions amidst attendant problems culminated in their scrapping.”
“NDDC since inception in 2000 has awarded both local and foreign scholarships to thousands of indigent Niger Deltans, some up to Doctorate Degrees. Reasonable number of the beneficiaries of the scholarship schemes are doing well in their respective endeavours in both public and private sectors locally and internationally.”
“The Commission has constructed thousands of roads and bridges across the nine(9) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.”
NDDC has built internal roads, beautiful hostels, lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories and also provided educational materials to many tertiary institutions in the Niger Delta region.”
“The Commission has trained thousands of youths in various skills and also done several empowerments for women and youths. It has done so much in the area of building health facilities, market shops, boreholes, solar lights and others.”
“While the success stories of the agency is enormous, the Commission has continued to suffer so much image problem due to public perceptions, negative stories and things carried about the Commission.”
“It is for the above reasons that the MD/CEO and the Executive Management are working round the clock to rebrand the battered and dented image of the Commission. The recent drive particularly the emphasis on building cordial and very mutual relationships with the Niger Delta Youth Group at One day Interactive Forum with the Management of Nddc on Monday 27th March 2023 especially the interactive forum between Executive Management and Niger Delta Youth Groups through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and engagement of critical stakeholders.”
“Moving forward, it is expected that the strategic efforts shall help in no small measure in consolidating the peace and stability enjoyed in the region and further translate to rapid growth and development of the Niger Delta considering the high premium the current Board has placed on projects and programmes that shall impact positively on the people of the region.”
On the other hand, the Board need so much synergy, fervent prayers and support of the great and very outstanding Youths of the Niger Delta and all critical stakeholders to succeed on this herculean national assignment. The Youths group thank the MD of Nddc for this programme. Let us join the Board to make the desired difference” Comrade Emeni Ibe concluded.