The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commenced the implementation of the Performance Management System, PMS, aimed at enhancing staff efficiency with a view to ensuring better service delivery.

Speaking during a two-day retreat for the deployment and institutionalization the PMS at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the implementation of the new system was crucial for achieving the nation’s development goals.

Ogbuku noted that the new Performance Management System will replace the old Annual Performance Evaluation Report, APER, currently being used in the Public Service. The new PMS is based on the Balanced Scorecard System and covers both organisational and individual performance.

The NDDC boss stated that with the implementation of the Performance Management System, the NDDC was demonstrating its commitment to efficient service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.

While commending the Federal Government for bringing forward innovative ideas and ensuring the implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s Public Service in line with contemporary global realities, the MD encouraged staff to prioritise performance in their daily work, emphasising teamwork and continuous striving for excellence.

Ogbuku assured that the Commission would comply fully with federal civil service policies. He announced that the NDDC would be fully automated to enhance efficiency and accountability.

Ogbuku explained that the new employee management system is designed to improve staff productivity, noting that promotions will henceforth be based strictly on performance. He urged staff to embrace continuous learning, particularly in computer literacy, as adaptability to the Performance Management System (PMS) is now mandatory.

“Every staff member must cultivate the habit of learning to be familiar with computer systems. This is very mandatory in this new policy, especially as all directorates in the Commission will be fully automated by the end of March,” Ogbuku stated.

He said staff would be trained and exposed to different aspects of the workflow to facilitate easy adaptation to the PMS.

The NDDC Director Planning and Statistics, Dr. Patterson Ogon, said the Performance Management System will enable the Commission to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions, he said.

“The introduction of the Performance Management System marks a significant step in strengthening accountability, efficiency, and service delivery within the NDDC.”

The Director of Admin and Human Resources, Mr Kelechi Nwelue, stated that there would be both quarterly and annual assessments of staff performance to identify areas requiring attention and improvement.

According to him, there would be support systems across all directorates to help staff adapt to the new system.

The Consultant, Dr. (Mrs.) Offiong Achibong, remarked that the main objective of the PMS was to ensure excellence at work.

She outlined Key Features of the PMS to include: Regular Performance Evaluations, Goal Setting, and Performance-Based Promotion.

Consultant Dr Mrs. Offiong Achibong remarked that the PMS is focused on measurable results across units and directorates, in line with Federal Government policies. She reiterated that the ultimate goal is to ensure excellence at work, where dedication and hard work are duly rewarded.

‎…As Samuel Grabs First Goal of Season 8
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‎The preliminary round of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup has begun in Brass Local Government Area of the State.
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‎A total of 257 teams, comprising 227 in the men’s category, 28 in the women’s category and two para soccer side, will jostle for the total prize money of ₦80,000,000.00 in this year’s edition of the showpiece.
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‎Governor Douye Diri on Thursday, ‎26th of February, 2026 took the ceremonial kick-off of the tournament to herald this year’s edition of the soccer fiesta.
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‎The competition kick-starts in both Sangana and Okpoama centre in Brass LGA with the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, who was represented by Chief Benjamin Ayebatonye, taking the kick-off.
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‎At the Sangana centre, Tough Dynamites beat Brass Boys by two goals to one. Jacob Samuel put Tough Dynamites ahead on 25 minutes as he records the first goal of the tournament while Benson Iniedogi doubled the lead for Tough Dynamites on 60 minutes, having controlled the first half of the game.
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‎Brass Boys on 72 minutes pulled one back from Godgift Gogoli’s beautiful finish but the effort was not enough to grant Brass Boys FC visa into the next round of the tournament.
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‎In the second match of the tournament, Mini FC, at the Sangana centre pipped resilient Orukele Thunders FC by a lone goal courtesy of Wisdom Elliot’s 31st minute strike.
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At the Okpoama centre, Kurotee FC edged out Canaan FC. Lucky Ayibaidigienini’s 82nd minute strike was all Kurotee FC needed to progress to the next phase of the tournament.
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In the last match of the day at the Okpoama centre, ‎Igoni FC defeated Ibidi FC by a lone goal. Lokobo John’s 13th minute goal ensured that Igoni FC qualifies for the next round of the competition.
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‎Ama-gbo FC will face Egweama FC on Sunday, 8th of March, 2026 at the Okpoama centre, while Hausa United will keep a date with Formosa FC at 3:00pm.
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‎Mini FC coach, Messiah Ben Dikuro in his post match reaction, commended his lads for the show of determination throughout the encounter, maintaining that their opponents gave them a tough fight.
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‎Also, Kurotee FC coach, Rawlings Walter noted that the sun affected the quality of their game, stating that their attention has been shifted to the next match.
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‎He commended the organizers of the tournament for the continuous innovations in the competition particularly the FC Barcelona coaching clinic and the referees refresher course.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has lauded the current Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for its support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies operating in the region.

Air Marshal Aneke, who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, highlighted some of the development projects the Commission had executed to assist the security agencies, according to a statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs.

He said: “Let me seize this opportunity to commend the NDDC for its support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for its unflinching support to us. We can see the good work you are putting in, such as the provision and installation of solar lights, the provision of 713 solar inverters, which have helped enhance safety and operational efficiency in the region, and the donation of a multi-purpose facility to the Nigerian Air Force at Kolo-Otuoke, Bayelsa State. In that facility, we now have one of the Administrative and Management Schools, the physical education, skills acquisition centre and a host of other centres which were deliberately drafted from Kaduna State as a mark of appreciation to the commission’s efforts”

Air Marshal Aneke observed that the objectives of the NDDC, anchored on providing socio-economic development for the Niger Delta region, were in tandem with the strategic duties of the Nigerian Air Force of providing a secure environment for national growth and development, noting that the learning centre would provide opportunities for the Nigerians, foreigners and interested members of staff of the Commission.

He appealed to the NDDC board to consider rehabilitating and equipping the Internally Displaced Persons IDP centres with reliable modern systems to serve as a training hub.

The Chief of Air Staff, who said that the Nigerian Air Force is committed to a long-lasting partnership capable of promoting peace and stability, sought NDDC’s intervention to provide accommodation for its staff serving in Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Benin, Asaba and Warri.

Responding, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that, as an interventionist agency, the Commission was always prepared to partner with both private and public organs in areas of development, especially in security.

He remarked, “Terrorism is like a virus, and if not curtailed, will spread to other parts of the country. But I want to commend you because, since you assumed office, you have risen to the challenges posed by insecurity. So, what we do here in the Niger Delta is to support you, because there can be no development without peace, and we need this collaboration. It is a collective task between us and the security agencies, and we are ready to support you because the President wants peace in this part of the country.

“All we expect is for you to maximise the benefits, the same way we have taken development to the nooks and crannies when we started the ‘Operation light up the Niger Delta’, where almost every community has been lit up, which has drastically reduced militancy and criminality and helped in the area of commerce.

Ogbuku commended the Nigerian Air Force for maintaining the facilities donated to it over the years, and appreciated the security agency for extending its gesture of allowing staff of the Commission to participate in the new School of Administration and Management relocated from Kaduna State to the region, as a way of enhancing staff training.

He assured that the partnership between the Commission and the Nigerian Air Force would stand the test of time.

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance, CSGGG has called for a full investigation into the academic and national service records of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, over allegations of perjury and false representation.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, the coalition urged the Deputy Speaker to step aside from office pending the outcome of investigations into claims that he may have simultaneously participated in the Nigerian Law School programme and the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The group said the allegations raise serious questions about compliance with the rules governing both institutions and the integrity expected of public office holders.

According to the coalition, Mr. Kalu allegedly took an oath during his admission into the Nigerian Law School declaring that he would not engage in employment or participate in the National Youth Service Corps during the period of his studies.

However, the civil society organisations claimed records suggest he was issued an NYSC discharge certificate covering March 9, 2010 to March 8, 2011, a period they say overlaps with his time at the Law School.

The coalition argued that both programmes are full time commitments and questioned how the Deputy Speaker could have lawfully participated in both at the same time.

“We are not imputing any crime at this stage, but we demand clarity and accountability from the relevant authorities,” the group stated.

The organisations called on the NYSC to provide details of Mr. Kalu’s service year and confirm whether he fully participated in the compulsory programme.

They also urged the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education to release records showing his attendance and participation in the institution’s academic activities.

As part of their demands, the coalition asked Kalu to publicly present evidence clarifying the circumstances surrounding the alleged overlap and demonstrate that he did not violate the rules of either institution.

The group warned that if the authorities fail to address the matter within 72 hours, it would consider further actions, including peaceful protests at the National Assembly.

They emphasized that public officials must be held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability in order to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi, Abuja

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‎The preliminary round of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, will take centre stage this weekend in Brass Local Government Area of the State.
‎
‎Governor Diri last week took the ceremonial kick-off to herald this year’s edition of the spectacle after the completion of capacity-building training for officials of the tournament ahead of the commencement of the 2026 edition of the showpiece
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‎The competition will kick-start in both Sangana and Okpoama centres in Brass LGA, off the Atlantic Ocean with the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere expected to take the kick-off at the Sangana centre.
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‎Tough Dynamite FC in the first match of the Sangana centre battles Brass Boys by 9:00am, Mini FC will face Orukele Thunders FC at 2:00pm while Sangana FC are drawn bye. Sunday 8th March, 2026 will witness other fixtures at the Sangana centre.
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‎Elsewhere, at the Okpoama centre, Canaan FC will entertain Kurotee FC in the match of the day by 11:00am, Ibidi FC will be up against Igoni FC in the second game at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 7th 2026.
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‎Ama-gbo FC will face Egweama FC on Sunday, 8th of March, 2026 at the Okpoama centre, while Hausa United will keep a date with Formosa FC at 3:00pm.
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‎This year’s spectacle will witness 257 teams comprising 227 male teams, 28 female and two para soccer sides jostling for the prize money in thirty different centres across the eight LGAs.

Your Excellency,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,

We, the NIGER DELTA ADVOCATE 4 GOOD GOVERNANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY GROUP, write this Open Letter in the spirit of patriotism, transparency, and deep concern for peace, equity, fairness justice and stability within the Niger Delta region.

This communication is not intended to malign any individual, company, kingdom, or ethnic nationality but to unravel the untold story of the pure marginalization of the original critical stakeholders who fought hard and denied for the pipeline surveillance contract job coordination of the Isoko Ethnic Nationality section.

Rather, it is a call for clarity, fairness, and urgent presidential engagement regarding the controversy surrounding the Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance arrangement under the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

It is evident that since 2022 when the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited was engaged, it’s original purpose to reduced oil theft, pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage has not been achieved to boost production.

But the worrisome zero participation of the rightful Stakeholders from Isoko land in the the Oil pipeline surveillance contract job in Isoko land, has become a focal point for security and economic instability.

It has become increasingly clear that there are ongoing demands from local stakeholders for greater involvement, with calls for the surveillance to be handled by local Isoko people and increase participation.

Background Context

NNPC Limited, under the leadership of:
Mele Kyari (former Group Chief Executive Officer), and Timipre Sylva (former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources), expanded the use of private pipeline surveillance contractors to combat crude oil theft and vandalism in other to increase crude oil production from mere 900 thousand barrels to 2m barrels daily as expected aim of the presidency.

The major Western Corridor and that of the Central corridor surveillance operations were all awarded to:
High Chief Dr, Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo, and that of MATON ENGINEERING NIGERIA LIMITED owned by Mathew Tonlagha through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

This intervention was widely celebrated by all sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region, and expected to improve production levels beyond 1.4m barrels daily to 1.7m to 2m barrels and above, but this multi billion dollar pipeline surveillance contract job that was thoughtfully approved and implemented by the former president, Muhammadu Buhari of blessed memory in the year 2022 could not achieve it’s purpose, and was expected to reduce pipeline vandalism, oil theft nationwide.

This development led to the open acknowledgment from the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) that despite the private security engagement, the nation Nigeria is unable to meet the production quotum of even 1.5m barrels not to talk of 2m barrels per day, it is unfortunate.

THE ISOKO ETHNIC Nationality Controversy

It has been reliably conveyed to our organization as advocates of transparency, good governance and the rule of law that Mr. Karo Edor and his team, representing stakeholders from the Isoko Ethnic Nationality, actively pursued inclusion in the surveillance structure covering Isoko land, and a lot of sacrifices where made by this young men and even submitted petitions to the law enforcement agencies in Abuja for the interest of peace and stability as law abiding citizens that does not believe in violence rather meaningful dialogue.

According to accounts presented to us:
Engagements were held with senior officials of NNPC Limited management in different occasions.

Petitions were reportedly submitted to the 9th Senate Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by distinguished Senator Pius Akereleye and the first meeting reportedly took place at Frayza Suite, Abuja, and later at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Those said to have been present at various engagements include:
Mele Kyari, Ali Zara (former MD, NPDC)
Matthew Tonlagha vice chairman TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED and the MD/CEO, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited; associated with Tantita operations), Dr. Dennis Otuaro who was the former Personal Assistant to Mr Mathew Tonlagha then, and now the Presidential Amnesty Programme Administrator.

It is reported that, during these engagements, an understanding was reached that Mr. Karo Edor and his group would coordinate the Isoko segment of the pipeline surveillance project that cut across the entire Isoko land.

However, stakeholders now claim that the coordination structure was later implemented differently with some cronies of questionable characters were placed in charge of the Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance coordination, instead of the main stakeholders who were the rightful persons that fought hard for it, Mr Karo Edor and his team where practically denied and marginalized, and it was assigned to one Ashaka and Mr Kome who where never in the picture from the onset of this Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance coordination agitation.

However, it should be put on record that there are growing concerns in the Niger Delta Region over this issue.

Your Excellency, the Niger Delta region has remained economically sensitive and historically fragile.
there are increasing concerns that:
Perceived marginalization of certain ethnic nationalities in oil pipeline security surveillance contract arrangements.

Also there is the growing show of lack of transparent communication
Absence of inclusive stakeholder dialogue may provoke sharp tensions and security infractions that could undermine peace and oil production stability in the region.

We are particularly concerned that the misunderstandings surrounding the allocation structure in Isoko land, and in parts of Itsekiri, Kalabari kingdom, under the rulership of HRM ALHAJI MUJHID ASARI DOKUBO, Okrika Okochiri kingdom, under the ruleship of HRM King Ateke Tom, in southern Ijaw local government Areas of Bayelsa state under the domain of General Boyloaf, who is the founder of MEND in the struggle, and in Ondo state areas where a well respected high Chief and a ex Militant leader come from, the person of General Shootasite and other where not properly addressed, may escalate into avoidable regional agitation.

This is not a threat, it is a warning based on evident historical realities in the Niger Delta!

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Consideration Section 257(1) & (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) recognizes the role and responsibility of Host Communities in protecting oil and gas infrastructure within their domains.

We respectfully submit that:
Inclusive participation of host communities strengthens security outcomes.

Exclusion or perceived exclusion weakens cooperation.Transparency builds distrust and fuel agitations.

OUR HUMBLE APPEAL TO MR. PRESIDENT

Your Excellency, as a leader known for political inclusiveness and strategic engagement, we respectfully urge you to
invite all critical stakeholders to a Presidential roundtable discussion.

Include:

Recognized traditional rulers,
Representatives of ethnic nationalities across the Niger Delta, Leadership of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), Representatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Relevant federal agencies.

Commission a transparent review of the surveillance coordination framework to ensure equity and compliance with the PIA.

This proactive step will:
Prevent possible unrest,
Safeguard production growth targets,
Protect national revenue,
Reinforce your administration’s commitment to fairness and justice, because an injury to one is an injury to all.

OUR POSITION.

Stability must not only be measured in barrels per day it must also be measured in justice, inclusion, and peace.

We believe that if this matter is transparently addressed now, Nigeria can avoid unnecessary tension and secure long-term production sustainability.

Your Excellency, history has shown that unattended grievances in the Niger Delta often escalate beyond expectation.

We therefore respectfully request urgent Presidential intervention to clarify the Isoko Pipeline Surveillance arrangement and ensure equitable host community participation across all corridors.
We remain committed to peace, unity, and national economic stability.
Signed:

Engr. Captain Momoh Ebiowei Erickson
National President & Coordinator
Niger Delta Advocate 4 Good Governance, Anti-Corruption and Transparency Group