By The Nation Tosin Tope
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has hailed President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) delivers on its mandate for the people.
Aiyedatiwa said President Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda has assisted in unlocking opportunities, especially through partnerships in driving sustainable development.
Speaking at the 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the NDDC at St Thomas鈥檚 Anglican Church in Akure, the state capital yesterday, the governor acknowledged the commission鈥檚 effort in bridging developmental gaps in the Niger Delta under President Tinubu鈥檚 administration.
He noted that the NDDC has continued to live up to its mandate with impactful developmental projects
鈥淗is interest in the NDDC and its activities has been more than passing, and we appreciate his leadership in ensuring that the Commission receives the support it needs to deliver on its mandate.
鈥淎s we celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the NDDC, it is imperative that we acknowledge the progress we have made and also recognise that there is still much work to be done as the Niger Delta region continues to face significant development challenges and we must work together to address these issues,鈥 the governor said.
While appreciating the board and management of the NDDC under Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director for its exemplary leadership, Aiyedatiwa called for the need to join hands in utilising its potential to bolster the economy of the region.
He commended the commission鈥檚 Executive Director, Corporate Services, Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde, for his contributions to Ondo鈥檚 development.
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鈥淪o, I urge the NDDC to continue to improve on its activities, ensuring that projects are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve.
鈥淟et us work together to unlock the potential of our region, promote economic growth, and enhance the lives of our people. We are partners in progress, unity, and development,鈥 he added
Earlier, Ogbuku, affirmed that the commission had undertaken infrastructural projects, mostly with road constructions and rehabilitation to improve accessibility in the Niger Delta region of the country.
He explained that some of the projects have also reached Ondo with various roads constructed for the benefit of the people to connect and boost trade and investments.
According to him, has prioritised youth empowerment through training programs, educational scholarships, and capacity-building workshops to equip the local workforce with necessary skills.
鈥淲e are also here to spread the dividends of Renewed Hope. We have been accountable, and we will be accountable at the end of our tenure.鈥
In his sermon titled: 鈥楢ccountability鈥, Rev Dr Simon Oluwole Borokini, Archbishop of the Akure Anglican Communion, said the 25 anniversary is like giving an account of stewardship and performances over the years.
Borokini noted that the instruments that established the commission were in response to long-standing agitation by Niger Delta Committees for Development and Equitable Distribution of Oil Wealth.
鈥淵our mandate, among others, is to facilitate the rapid, even sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerating, and politically peaceful.
鈥淲e are proud to say, based on what we have seen around, that over the years we have noticed your impact in infrastructural development, water, sanitation, education, health, environmental immunisation, youth empowerment, job creation, and support for small-scale businesses and entrepreneurship in our region,鈥 he said.