society
Professor of Law Writes The Senate Over Usurpation Of The Powers Of NDDC Board
Professor of Law Writes The Senate Over Usurpation Of The Powers Of NDDC Board
NDDC– Worried over the lingering crises of usurpation of the powers of the board of Niger Delta Development Commission by its management, a distinguished professor of Law. Yusuf Dankofa, PHD has a petition to the Chairman, Ad-hoc committee Investigating Budgets of the NDDC, Senator Yusuf Yusuf.
Here is the letter as obtained by us…
Distinguished Senator Yusuf Yusuf
The Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee Investigating Budgets of the NDDC,
Senate of Nigeria,
National Assembly
Three Arms Zone
Dear Sir,
SUBMISSION ON THE LINGERING CRISES OF USURPATION OF THE POWERS OF THE BOARD OF NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BY IT’S MANAGEMENT
We are Legal Practitioners based in the above address with interests spanning constitutionalism, human rights, public interests advocacy and litigation. We have watched with keen interest the crises of leadership tussles at the NDDC which is a needless act of usurpation of powers of the board by it’s management. The crisis has now extended to the process of budgeting by the commission and if proper understanding of the Act establishing the commission and the civil service rules are not adhered to and upheld by the relevant institutions and stakeholders, that will undermine the principles of good corporate governance that will hamper the Commission from its mandate.
We therefore welcome the Senate setting up an Ad-hoc Committee under your Chairmanship to investigate the 2021, 2022 and 2023 estimates of the Commission
We respectfully identified the following key areas for determination and proffer necessary advice:
- THE ROLE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF NDDC
We submit that the NDDC’s highest decision making organ is the Governing Board .This is amplified by section 1 sub-section 2 (1)(a) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act 2000. This board headed by the Chairman in conjunction with the office of the Managing Director shall formulate necessary guidelines for the development of Niger Delta area.
Section 8 of the Act further provides that the Board shall have power to:
- manage and supervise the affairs of the commission,
- make rules and regulations to carry out the functions of the commission,
- enter into such contracts as may be necessary or expedient for the discharge of its functions and
- ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the commission.
With the above provisons of the Act, it becomes a settled matter of law that the Chairman of the Governing Board is the supervisory authority on all issues affecting the Commission. Without the approval of the Board, any action so taken will be a violation of the Act, and thus illegal.
The overarching responsibility of the Chairman is to protect the resources of the people and make sure that due process is followed in all administrative and financial activities. The Governing board is therefore superior to the Managing Director, because the Management must always seek approvals of the Board to make or take significant decisions.
It’s therefore our considered view based on the extant law that the Commission can only effectively perform its roles with a substantive Governing Board headed by a Chairman. Any act done without the input and approval of the board is invalid and therefore remains voidable. The so called MoU signed by the management of NDDC with a United State based firm for the construction of railway in some parts of Niger Delta without the knowledge and approval of its governing board, is nothing but a gross usurpation of powers of the board as enshrined in the Act, and therefore null and void.
- CAN THE MANAGEMENT TEAM UNILATERALLY PREPARE AND PRESENT NNDC’S BUDGET TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITHOUT INPUTS AND APPROVAL OF SAME BY THE GOVERNING BOARD?
Section 18 (1) of the NDDC act clearly provides answers to this question. The said section is herein reproduced for ease of reference,
The board shall not, later than 30th September in each year submit to the National Assembly, through the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces an estimate and expenditure of the income of the commission during the next succeeding year for approval.
It is clear from the above Section that the only person that can present the budget of the Commission to the National Assembly is its Chairman. Any budget presented to the National Assembly, including the Senate, by the Management of the Commission is a breach of the Act that established the Commission. We therefore urge Your respected Red Chamber to decline validating the illegal budget proposal before you as that will amount to giving a stamp of acceptance to an unlawful act. The Senate should not consider any budget estimates from the Commission that is not approved by it’s board and presented for your consideration by the Chairman of the Commission.
May I, with respect also refer you to the Supplementary provisions regarding the Board in the NDDC Act, otherwise referred to as the Schedule. Section 1 (2)of the Schedule clearly provides that, the quorum of board shall be the Chairman and that the Board can only meet wherever it is convened by the Chairman and that under section 4 (1) the fixing of the seal of the commission shall be authenticated by the signatures by the chairman or any member of the board generally or specifically authorised by the board to act for that purpose and the managing director.
It is not in doubt that any decision made by the commission must be sanctioned by the Board. The management cannot act outside the province and authority of the Board.
The management team should be made to understand that it does not have unlimited authority and the principle of checks and balances under constitutional democracy has also been put in place by the NDDC Act so that the management team cannot confer unto itself emergency powers which will ultimately lead to abuse.
- UNAUTHORISED AND FRUITLESS EXPENDITURES
We also respectfully urge your Ad-hoc Committee to examine if the Management of the Commission, especially the Managing Director, have observed the Public Service Rules, including that of seeking the approval of their supervising authority in this case, the Chairman of the board – before undertaking local and foreign trips; and also whether they travel within the airfare class so prescribed by the Public Service Rules.
We hope that you shall give the necessary considerations to the salient issues of law raised by our submission in this document and use them to resolve this unnecessary usurpation and abuse of power.
Thank you.
Yours,
Signed.
YUSUF DANKOFA, PHD
Professor of Law.
TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR ZULUM FOR HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES
The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has commended Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his generous donation of ₦150 million to the families of three military officers who were tragically killed in recent attacks. Each family received ₦50 million as part of the state’s continued commitment to supporting fallen heroes and wounded personnel involved in counter-insurgency operations.
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the foundation’s chairman, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The foundation expressed gratitude for the governor’s compassionate gesture, which included personal visits to the families of the late Lieutenant Colonels Umar Farouq, Salihu Iliyasu, and Aliyu Saidu Paiko in Abuja, Niger, and Kano States. During the visits, Governor Zulum offered his condolences and praised the service, sacrifice, and patriotism of the fallen officers.
The foundation’s Grand Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR (Rtd), personally commended the governor’s dedication to improving the lives of Borno State residents. He also extended his condolences to the families of the officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
During his visits, Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting bereaved families, which includes offering scholarships to the orphaned children of fallen personnel. He pledged to extend similar visits to other affected families, underscoring a compassionate approach to addressing the needs of those who have suffered in the line of duty.
society
Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis
*Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis
Her Majesty Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu, Queen of the Aches Empire under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA), has been appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, effective immediately.
This appointment comes as the UKA takes decisive steps to strengthen its humanitarian efforts and protect its citizens from unauthorized activities. In light of recent developments, the UKA has issued an official public disclaimer cautioning citizens, followers, and the general public about the activities of individuals promoting and operating a coin or platform not officially recognized by the Atlantian Gold Coin (ATC). This follows the hijacking of the 5 billion humanitarian project, a move that has been met with concern and condemnation from the international community.
As the newly appointed Minister, Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu has announced that all matters pertaining to the 5 billion humanitarian project in UKA should be directed to her office. This includes the newly captured NGOs, which are now required to report to the Office of Humanitarian Affairs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of humanitarian resources.
“We are committed to transparency and accountability in our humanitarian efforts,” said Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu. “We urge all stakeholders to work with us to ensure the success of our initiatives and protect our citizens from unauthorized activities. We will not tolerate any form of exploitation or mismanagement of humanitarian funds, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
The UKA has assured its citizens and the international community that it is taking all necessary measures to recover the hijacked funds and bring the perpetrators to justice. The appointment of Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu is seen as a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring that humanitarian efforts are aligned with the UKA’s values and principles.
For more information. Please contact the Office of the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture and Kingdom Affairs.
*About the United Kingdom of Atlantis*
The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and humanitarian values. The UKA is dedicated to working with international partners to address global challenges and improve the lives of its citizens and people around the world.
NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists
At a time when Nigeria’s media industry is strained by economic uncertainty, job instability, and shrinking newsroom resources, the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) is redefining professional solidarity. More than a network of editors, it is emerging as a critical support system for journalists navigating an increasingly precarious landscape.
Founded on the principles of welfare, solidarity, and professional growth, NASRE has positioned itself as a responsive and forward-looking body within the media ecosystem. While many professional associations remain focused on advocacy and training, NASRE distinguishes itself by combining these roles with direct and practical support for journalists and their families.
At the core of its mission is a clear proposition that no journalist should be abandoned in times of need. Through financial assistance, targeted outreach, and sustained engagement, the association has supported members facing hardship, as well as widows and families of deceased practitioners. These largely understated interventions have steadily earned NASRE credibility and respect across the industry.
The organisation’s approach reflects a keen awareness of the pressures confronting media professionals, including irregular pay, job insecurity, and limited institutional backing. In such an environment, NASRE’s welfare initiatives are not merely charitable, they are essential.
Beyond welfare, the association is investing in professional resilience. Through collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing platforms, it is equipping editors and practitioners to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital media space, where adaptability is no longer optional.
Headquartered in Lagos, NASRE continues to broaden its reach, attracting a growing membership united by the need for a more responsive and supportive professional community. Its expansion signals a shift in expectations within the industry, away from symbolic affiliations towards institutions that deliver measurable value.
For many observers, NASRE represents a necessary evolution, a professional body anchored not just in ideals, but in impact. By combining empathy with structure, it offers a model of what media associations can become in challenging times.
As the industry continues to evolve, organisations like NASRE may prove indispensable. In a profession devoted to telling society’s stories, it is ensuring that the storytellers themselves are not left behind.
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