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NDDC Conundrum: More Questions than Answers! By Ayo Oyoze Baje

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HOW LAURETTA ONOCHIE IS FIGHTING TIMIPRE SYLVA'S GUBERNATORIAL AMBITION.

NDDC Conundrum: More Questions than Answers!

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote:
“It is shocking that after the FEC, the highest ruling body in the country, had awarded a contract for the same project in 2021 at the sum of $11.7 billion for the construction of same Mega railway spanning through the length and breadth of the Niger Delta, that anyone would be signing an MOU on behalf of the NDDC and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the same project in 2023 without due process”
 – Ms Lauretta Onochie (Chairman of the NDDC governing board)
As with running the lives of individuals, there is always a difference between motive and method for that of conducting the affairs of public and private organizations. The facilitating factors that come into play; to oil the engine of growth and drive such dreams to the light of day are predicated on vision, character, commitment and of course, accountability.


NDDC Conundrum: More Questions than Answers!
By Ayo Oyoze Baje
 Whenever one or more of such catalysts are lacking, the process is derailed, leading of course, to preventable pains of those who are supposed to benefit from it all. And that precisely is what has played out with the noble objectives of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It would be recalled that the Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act2000 Act No 6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria came as an Act to provide for the repeal of the Oil, Mineral Producing Areas Commission Decree 1998.  Among other things, it was meant to establish a new Commission with a re-organised management and administrative structure for more effectiveness.
Furthermore, it was meant for the use of the sums received from the allocation of the Federation Account for tackling ecological problems which arise from the exploration of oil minerals in the Niger-Delta area and for connected purposes. That came into effect on12th day of July 2000.
Unfortunately,  the noble aims and objectives of its coming into effect  under the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had over the years got de-branded with the issues of corruption, incompetence and gross mismanagement of its resources. Terribly bad, you might say!
But it even got worse when it had no Board to effectively run its affairs for six odd years! By law it was supposed to be under the presidency. The change in the narrative however, came when former governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill  Akpabio became the Minister of the Niger-Delta. It was he who appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to place the NDDC under the Ministry of the Niger-Delta.
Ever since, it has been mired in one steamy scandal, controversy or the other. That was what necessitated the setting up of a forensic audit by the president to take a deeper look into the conduct of its financial transactions.
Interestingly, that opened up the can of worms with the alleged discovery of monumental corruption as 320 illegal accounts-both local and international- were traced to the Ministry by the forensic audit. That was in 2021 when the Report was submitted to Mister President.
Ordinarily, oil companies operating in Nigeria are supposed to pay 3% of their running costs to the NDDC but going by the allegations of corruption Buhari ordered that such sums should be collected by the EFCC. Other reports revealed that within that period it collected a whopping N710 billion on behalf of NDDC!
Buhari  was compelled, in his characteristic manner of transparency and probity to come up with the appointment of someone of proven integrity; someone with a proud pedigree of discipline; who attaches little value to material things. There comes in Ms Lauretta Onochie on whose behalf the president wrote to the Senate for confirmation back in November 2022.
Having worked with Mister President for seven good years, which provided him with the opportunity to study her true persona he knew that she was going to toe the path of honour and honesty. And that she did when during the first meeting of the NDDC Board it was mutually agreed that financial transactions must be approved by her person, as the Chairman for accountability and transparency.
In addition, such financial transactions were to be communicated to the CBN, the Accountant General’s Office and of course, the Minister of Finance. But the MD  of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku was vehemently against that significant decision.
Furthermore, he wrote a letter to counter the decision insisting that the status quo should remain. That audacious attempt to shake the NDDC table triggered some burning questions. Is it true, as alleged that the humongous sum of N50 million is always paid for trips made by the trio of the Managing Director of the NDDC, the Director of Finance as well as Projects for assignments carried out outside Port Harcourt? Is it also true that the monthly running cost has been increased from N6bn to N10bn? Yet, that was not all to it.
 Why would contractors be paid huge sums from the public purse without the knowledge of the NDDC Board but with payments approved by the head of the former interim management?  Why were the Board Members from Abia and Bayelsa states the ones to benefit from payments? And why are the NDDC Board members not given official vehicles? There was certainly more to it all than met the eye!
In fact, the last straw that broke the camel’s back in the cat-and-mouse game between the Minister of the Niger Delta and the Onochie-led Board of the NDDC came to the fore when the former went ahead to host the PPP Summit recently held at Eko Hotel in Lagos state without the approval of the latter!
Worse still, it went on to sign an MOU with an American company,  Atlanta Global Resources Inc., which according to Onochie has no requisite experience in any form of construction, not to talk about  railway construction! Onochie stated that the company in question is a management export consulting firm without known directors!
Describing the MOU as illegal she quoted that: “(a) By the act establishing the NDDC (Act No 6, of 2000), it is the Chairman of the board that is solely vested with the power to sign MOUs with any organisation. She added Part II of the NDDC Act, Section 8, sub sections (a) and (e), among other provisions,.
The Chairman of the PPP Board Gbenga Edema who hails from Ondo state is also a Commissioner with the board. Though he was supposed to report to the Board, he was allegedly ignored by the management.
Subsequently, all these shenanigans have dovetailed into the call by her traducers for Onochie’s removal from office. And that is all because she is firmly standing on her ground, insisting that she does not want the smelly Augean stable to remain in its mess!
Indeed, she reminds one of the late DG of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili who epitomized diligence to duty, discipline and strict adherence to the dictates of the law.  Characteristic of her resolute stand, she wants things done within the ambit of the law, no matter whose ox is gored!
Unfortunately, the face-off has led to a situation whereby not much has been achieved by the NDDC in the past six months. The NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration, is Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd), while  the Executive Director, Projects is  Mr. Charles Ogunmola. The Minister of the Niger Delta is Umanna Umanna.
So, while the elephants fight it is the hapless and long-suffering Niger-Deltans that continue to stew in the quagmire of preventable pains and poverty.
The clarion call has therefore, come up by concerned Niger Deltans for President Buhari to do the needful, even in his last days in office. They are urging him to amend the Act,  If possible, issue out an executive order to correct the anomalies and check mate the financial reckless of the Ogbuku-led management. That is, by giving executive powers to the Chairman of the Commission, similar to what OMPADEC had in place before it was dissolved.
With that, the incoming government will have an enabling legal environment to facilitate a holistic development of the oil-rich Niger Delta, so that the goose that lays the golden egg is effectively taken good care of.

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Nigerian Prophet Begs Federal Government to Stop Killing of Christians, Backs Tinubu’s Second Term

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Nigerian Prophet Begs Federal Government to Stop Killing of Christians, Backs Tinubu’s Second Term

 

Abuja – Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun, Founder of Celestrial Deliverance Church of Christ in Zhidu Village, Abuja, has made an emotional appeal to the Federal Government to stop the killing of Christians across Nigeria while also throwing his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

 

Speaking from his Abuja headquarters, the Prophet declared that leadership is a continuum and that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms require stability and time to bear fruit. He said, “Politics has nothing to do with religion. The ballot box is not the altar. Whether you are from the East, the North, the West, or the Yoruba community, we are one people under God.”

 

Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun used the opportunity to make a special appeal to the Federal Government, saying, “I beg the Federal Government, in the name of God and for the sake of humanity: Please help stop the killing of Christians across this nation. From the villages to the cities, too much innocent blood has been shed. Targeted attacks on Christian communities must stop. We plead for stronger protection, justice for victims, and lasting peace.” He acknowledged the pain of insecurity, especially the killing of Christians and farmers across the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria, but also noted verifiable security gains under President Tinubu including over 3,000 hostages rescued from bandits and terrorists in the last 12 months, deployment of new attack helicopters and surveillance drones to flashpoints, and a reduction in oil theft from over 400,000 barrels per day to under 200,000 barrels per day.

 

He said, “The issue is security, and security is everybody’s business. We cannot build a nation if our people are not safe. But we must also acknowledge progress.” He added that a second term would allow the administration to consolidate its security architecture rather than restarting with new leadership.

 

On economic reforms, Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun argued that President Tinubu’s first term has witnessed the most audacious economic reforms in Nigeria’s recent history, including fuel subsidy removal saving the nation over ₦400 billion monthly, a unified exchange rate attracting over $2 billion in foreign portfolio inflows, the Student Loans Act benefiting over 100,000 students, and local government autonomy. He argued that no major economy in the world has successfully reversed course after landmark reforms within a single term, adding that abandoning the reform agenda now would plunge Nigeria back into uncertainty.

 

Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun stressed that President Tinubu’s emergence broke a dangerous cycle, noting that Tinubu is the first Southern Muslim to lead Nigeria since 1993, balancing power after eight years of a Northern President. He pointed out that under Tinubu, the South holds the presidency of the Senate but the Speaker of the House is from the North-West. He urged, “Let the East join hands with the West. Let the North embrace the South. Let the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and all 250 plus tribes say: ‘Nigeria first.’”

 

Drawing comparisons to global examples such as India’s Narendra Modi, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, and Indonesia’s Joko Widodo, the Prophet argued that second terms deliver long-term prosperity. He said, “Nigeria is not an exception. If we change leadership every four years, we will remain a building site forever.”

 

Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun closed with a prayer and a charge: “Nigeria will only rise when we rise above division. I am not speaking as Ogu, Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa. I speak as a Nigerian, and as a minister of the gospel of peace. God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” He urged all Nigerians to pray for the nation, support security agencies, and give President Tinubu the opportunity to complete what he has started. The press release was issued on 20th April 2026 from his church in Zhidu Village behind Piwoyi Village off Lugbe Airport Road, FCT Abuja.

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₦100 Million Bribe Offer Rejected As Police STS Operatives Expose Criminal Syndicate

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₦100 Million Bribe Offer Rejected As Police STS Operatives Expose Criminal Syndicate

 

 

 

The Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained crackdown on the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure, with the arrest of two notorious suspects and the recovery of railway materials valued at over ₦400,000,000.

 

Acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, to decisively tackle acts of economic sabotage, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), under the leadership of ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, executed a swift, intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of Chisom Goodnews (32) and Ahmed Adamu (22) on April 9, 2026, in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

 

The suspects were intercepted while transporting vandalised railway infrastructure in a calculated attempt to evade detection. Recovered from them was a trailer truck with registration number KRB 355 SX, conveying railway tracks and sleepers weighing approximately 60 tonnes, cleverly concealed under sacks of groundnut shells. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a well-coordinated syndicate responsible for the illegal removal and transportation of railway materials from Bauchi State to Ilorin, Kwara State, representing a significant threat to Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure.

 

Speaking on the operation, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey revealed that in a desperate bid to compromise the officers and frustrate the arrest, the suspects offered a staggering sum of ₦100 million as a bribe to allow them passage with the illicit cargo. The offer was, however, outrightly rejected by the operatives, who remained resolute in the discharge of their duties. This firm stance underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s renewed commitment to professionalism, integrity, and its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

 

Further investigations are ongoing to apprehend the intended receiver of the stolen materials in Ilorin, as well as other members of the syndicate, while efforts are being intensified to recover additional exhibits linked to the criminal network.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has reiterated the Force’s unwavering resolve to bring all perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice, warning that acts of vandalisation of public assets will not be tolerated. He assured that all individuals found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.

 

₦100 Million Bribe Offer Rejected As Police STS Operatives Expose Criminal Syndicate

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Nigeria Police Initiative Targets Youth Vices As POCACOV Undertakes Strategic Visit To Cross River

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Nigeria Police Initiative Targets Youth Vices As POCACOV Undertakes Strategic Visit To Cross River

 

 

As part of a two-day strategic working visit to Cross River State, the National Coordinator of POCACOV (Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices), SP Orvenonne Ikwen, Ph.D., embarked on a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening partnerships, deepening community participation, and advancing the non-kinetic approach to crime prevention across the state, in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, whose policing philosophy is rooted in community partnership, public trust, proactive engagement, and preventive policing aimed at building safer communities across Nigeria.

 

The visit commenced with a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, psc, mnips, who warmly received the National Coordinator and commended the POCACOV initiative for its significant impact in tackling cultism, bullying, drug abuse, gangsterism, school violence, and other social vices affecting young people and vulnerable groups. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting proactive policing strategies that promote trust, restore public confidence, and ensure lasting peace and security across Cross River State.

 

 

In continuation of the visit, the National Coordinator paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Ijom Ukam, who described the POCACOV visit as timely and highly strategic, especially during what he referred to as a volatile and transitional period in society. He emphasized that the engagement reinforces the collective responsibility of government, institutions, and citizens in addressing the growing concerns of social vices among young people.

According to him, “The primary responsibility of every government is the security of its citizens,” noting that the adoption of the non-kinetic approach by the Nigeria Police Force through POCACOV demonstrates that the Police truly care about the future of Nigerian youths. He commended the Nigeria Police Force for embracing preventive policing and pledged the Ministry’s full support for POCACOV activities in Cross River State.

 

 

Barr. Ijom Ukam further declared that POCACOV has come to stay in Cross River State and assured the National Coordinator of sustained collaboration in mobilizing young people, creating awareness, and implementing youth-focused interventions that will help eradicate crime and social vices from the state.

 

 

As part of the media advocacy component of the visit, SP Orvenonne Ikwen also visited prominent radio stations including HIT FM and Sparkling FM, where she engaged media stakeholders on the need for continuous public sensitization, youth mentorship, and strategic communication in crime prevention. She stressed the critical role of the media in shaping positive narratives, promoting civic responsibility, and supporting national efforts to discourage cultism and other harmful behaviors among youths.

The National Coordinator also met with content creators and digital influencers in the state, including popular creative personality MC Koboko, to strengthen collaboration in using social media and entertainment platforms as tools for advocacy and youth engagement. She emphasized that content creators remain powerful voices in shaping public perception and influencing positive behavioral change among young people. She called for stronger partnerships with creative stakeholders to amplify the message of POCACOV and promote peace, responsibility, and social values across communities.

She noted that POCACOV remains a major strategic initiative of the Nigeria Police Force designed to complement law enforcement with prevention-focused solutions, reflecting the IGP’s vision of policing that is rooted in public trust, inclusiveness, and strong community partnership.

The working visit further strengthened collaboration between POCACOV, the Cross River State Police Command, the Ministry of Youth Development, educational institutions, religious leaders, traditional institutions, parents, and the media, all united in the shared goal of building safer communities and securing a better future for the younger generation.

The visit stands as another strong testament to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to preventive policing, youth empowerment, and sustainable peacebuilding through stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.

 

Nigeria Police Initiative Targets Youth Vices As POCACOV Undertakes Strategic Visit To Cross River

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