The Federal Government has been urged to enact laws that would address the issue of domestic violence against women in the country.

Wife of the Edo State Representative on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon. Helen Aisowieren, made the call during the 2025 International Women’s Day Celebration, organised by the NDDC in conjunction with Jesse Halliday Global Initiative in Benin, Edo State.

Aisoweren noted that over the years women had been relegated to the background and remarked that unless women were given their rightful place, poverty, deprivation of rights and privileges of women would continue to be on the increase.

She said: “Domestic violence against women should be prohibited, and the government must endeavour to enact stiffer laws to protect women in the country. Women are mothers of the nation, and there is no reason why they should suffer any form of violation, and any such practice should attract sanction”

Aisoweren described the programme as rich, noting that it had created awareness for participants in the areas of skill acquisition and Artificial Intelligence, AI.

She appealed to the management of NDDC to pay attention to women in Edo State, who, she said, yearn for empowerment, training, and skill acquisition.

In her remarks, the NDDC Director of Edo State Office, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, stated that the International Women’s Day celebration was also a demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to uplifting women in the region, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She urged the women to take advantage of the training programme provided by the NDDC’s board and management team to improve their livelihood.

The President of Afemai Women in Politics, Princess Hauwa Ewere, observed that the initiative was well thought out and would expose the women to other productive lives. She gave a thumbs-up to NDDC for sponsoring the programme, which benefits women in the region.

The Nigerian Army has honoured the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, with the “NA Outstanding Service Commendation Medal, NAOSCM.”

In a letter certifying the Service Commendation Medal, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, said: “Having contributed immensely to the development of the NA’s infrastructure, human capacity development, as well as enhancement of the NA’s operational efficiency and accomplishment of the COAS Command Philosophy, is hereby awarded the NA Outstanding Service Commendation Medal (NAOSCM).”

The commendation medal was presented to Ogbuku during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2025 Lecture and Award Ceremony in Abuja, as contained in a statement by NDDCs, Director Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, through its Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyewe, also presented an award to the NDDC boss as a “Champion of Transformational Leadership” during the World Press Briefing in Asaba.

Ogbuku thanked the army and the NUJ for the honour, noting that the recognition would spur the NDDC to do more in the development process.

He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that the Niger Delta region remained peaceful and conducive for Niger Deltans to live their lives and conduct their businesses peacefully.

The NDDC Managing Director said that the Commission and the Nigerian Army has a long history of collaboration that has made a positive difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.

He said, “For us in NDDC, we have done a lot to ensure that we collaborate with security agencies because we believe that security, peace, and development are intertwined. Where there is no security, there will be no peace, and where there is no peace, there will be no development.

“We will do our best to support the security agencies to succeed because, when they succeed, we will also succeed.”

The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for its achievements in the past 25 years.

Obi Azinge spoke when the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, led a delegation of the Commission’s Board and Management to pay a courtesy visit to him in his palace in Asaba, Delta State.

The NDDC delegation included the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; and other Directors of the Commission.

As contained in a statement by NDDCs Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the royal father commended the NDDC for its intervention in several sectors across the Niger Delta region. He expressed delight with the foreign postgraduate scholarship programme, which had helped many Niger Delta youths upgrade their knowledge.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the NDDC Chairman, whom he said had served the Delta State Government in different capacities. He noted that Ebie served meritoriously as Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and later, Secretary to the State Government.

Obi Azinge called on the NDDC to extend its intervention to some critical areas in Asaba, noting that the town had been contending with floods for many years.
He also appealed to the NDDC to assist in the construction of projects that would benefit the people in his domain.

The monarch thanked the NDDC for selecting Asaba as the venue for some of the activities marking its 25th anniversary, such as a press conference and the movie premiere.
Speaking earlier. The NDDC Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, congratulated the Asagba on his coronation as the Asagba of Asaba. He expressed optimism that his reign would bring good tidings to Asaba, which serves as both a kingdom and the capital of Delta State.

He stated that the NDDC had come of age and was now a big brother to the new development agencies in Nigeria’s geo-political zones.

Ebie said that as part of the silver jubilee celebration, the Commission was going around the nine states of the Niger Delta. “We are in Asaba to hold a World Press conference and movie premiere because the town is fast becoming the Nollywood capital of Nigeria.”

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has launched a comprehensive technical skills acquisition programme to equip participants with practical in-demand skills.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the programme in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, stated that it aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the efforts to address youth unemployment and restiveness in the Niger Delta.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, described the programme as “development in action.”

He stated, “Every enduring legacy begins with a foundation. What we are doing today is laying down the skills, vision, and effort to build the Niger Delta of our dreams. These trainings are not just routine empowerment but strategic investments in human capital. When we teach scaffolding, we are not just building structures; we are raising futures. When we teach pipe coating and fitting, we are sealing the lips of unemployment and poverty.”

Ogbuku emphasised that skills, such as pipe fitting, sandblasting, scaffolding, and forklifting, were essential and marketable in sectors like construction, oil and gas, and industrial services, both locally and internationally.

He urged participants to be disciplined and fully committed, noting that the skills they acquire are “permanent assets” that will empower them for life.

In her remarks, the Director, Commercial and Industrial Development, Barr. Lyna Okara reaffirmed the NDDC’s commitment to building a capable and employable youth population.

“This training will equip you with knowledge, experience, and employable or self-employment skills, thereby contributing to your personal growth and a sustainable regional economy,” she said.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Thompson Best Nigeria Limited, the lead consultant for the programme, Mrs. Blessing Olodiama, described the training as timely and relevant in today’s skill-driven world.

She encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity. “NDDC has invested so much in each of you. Pay attention to the training rules, stay focused, and avoid distractions. What you gain today will determine your tomorrow,” she advised.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is partnering with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, to ensure the speedy completion of the 27.1-kilometre Bonny Ring Road and Bridges in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Speaking during the inspection of the project, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, reiterated the Commission’s determination to deliver the road alongside several others, stressing that it was a mandate from President Bola Tinubu.

Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other Directors of the Commission, also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, in his palace.

In a statement by NDDCs Director Cooperate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer informed the Bonny Monarch that, beyond visiting to inspect the ring road project, the Commission was in the Kingdom to seek his blessings for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Commission, which would commence with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Ondo State. He said that as part of the ceremonies, the name of the late Harold Dappa-Biriye would be mounted at the new NDDC headquarters at the Marine Base, Port Harcourt.

He underlined the critical role played by the late Bonny nationalist in the Niger Delta struggle.

Ogbuku, assured that the Commission would continue to positively impact the lives of the people of the region, adding that most of the projects embarked upon by the Commission were based on needs assessment.

He stated: “We are committed to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government in the Niger Delta region. We remain dedicated to the mandate given to the NDDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform Nigeria’s oil-producing region.”

Ogbuku said that the Commission has engaged international oil and gas companies (IOCs) to attract partnerships for large-scale projects. “We are collaborating with NLNG to facilitate the construction of the Bonny Ring Road, the Kaa-Ataba Bridge and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge,” he stated.

“We believe that in partnership with stakeholders, we will achieve more, and development in our region will be faster and more holistic. We are not competing with any state government; we only complement their efforts.”

The Managing Director stated that the construction of the road would contribute to poverty reduction by positively impacting the economic growth of the host and adjoining communities.

According to Ogbuku, “the project is one of the legacy projects which was captured in the 2024 budget of the commission as part of the fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to facilitate completion of legacy projects across the region. The president’s approval also includes the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, the Bonny Ring Road and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge in Rivers State, among others.”

Ogbuku, who defied a heavy downpour, inspected the project in the company of some Bonny Chiefs and remarked that the ring road project would link Bonny Town with surrounding communities to complement the Bonny-Bodo Road being constructed by the Federal Government.

The Managing Director of the construction firm handling the project, Engr. Dennis Ododah, assured that the Bonny Ring Road project would be completed by the first quarter of 2027. He explained that the 27.14 km road project included 13 bridges and 26 km of concrete pavement.

Speaking earlier during a courtesy visit by the NDDC team, the Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, appreciated NDDC’s efforts and called for the speedy completion of the Bonny Ring Road.

The Monarch, who was represented by the Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, urged the NDDC to ensure strict supervision of the project to prevent delays that could come from the contractor.