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To hold agriculture summit
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its determination to unlock the region’s vast agricultural potential to drive sustainable development in the region.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this at a Youth and Women Conference event in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Commission on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Owerri.
The NDDC boss said the vision to boost the agricultural sector was part of President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to ensure legacy projects through the NDDC in the region.
Ogbuku said revitalising the region’s agricultural potential would create economic opportunities, improve food security, and enhance the livelihoods of the people in the Niger Delta region.
He added that an agricultural summit would be convened to chart a roadmap on how best to harness the resources of the Niger Delta for the development of the region.
The managing director observed that, although there had been failures, they have learnt lessons and are ready to improve on the successes recorded so far.
He emphasised that women and youth should not be neglected, observing that they suffer most whenever there is a crisis in the region.
He pointed out that the event was aimed at updating the people on programmes and projects achieved so far, and also to interact with the youth, women, and stakeholders from the region on the way forward.
He equally disclosed that the commission was collating the data of women and youths in the Niger Delta to ease communication and prevent individuals from benefiting from multiple programmes.
“This will ensure that programmes are not limited to the same people but decentralised to ensure equitable development and empowerment,” he said.
Ogbuku therefore urged the people to take advantage of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, which was set up to reach out to entrepreneurs in the region.
“I want you to register and take advantage of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to boost their businesses.
“The chamber aims to tackle challenges of loan repayment.
“The NDDC has put together sustainable structures for development and wants to ensure the people benefit in the right way,” he stressed.
Ogbuku further urged them to support the programmes of the NDDC to ensure that the president’s vision of helping the Niger Delta people was brought to life.
In his address, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, represented by his deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaro, noted that the continued collaboration of the NDDC with stakeholders in the region in training youths and women had contributed to the remarkable milestones achieved by the commission over the past 25 years.
The governor said the roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, electrification, markets, and other infrastructure executed by the commission are laudable and worthy of celebration.
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“It will be our happiness that the commission continues in that positive trajectory going forward,” he said.
Uzodimma called for intensified programmes for youths and women, urging the commission to understudy his administration’s Skill Up Imo Project, which empowered over 40,000 Imo youths with digital skills.
He said it would create more employable youths with entrepreneurial and digital skills in the Niger Delta region.
The governor pledged continuous support and partnership with the commission in a bid to achieve the mandate of the commission.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDDC governing board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said the commission will continue to prioritise women and youths in its programmes.
Ebie appealed to them to support the NDDC with their prayers and encouragement while commending them for coming out in their numbers to participate in the programme.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, urged the youth to take the opportunity of the workshop to be deliberate in nurturing and developing themselves even further.
Ekpenyong commended the management and board of the NDDC for their hard work, which had sustained the commission and its projects in the last 25 years.
He also urged the youth to emulate the discipline and commitment to duty displayed by the management of the Commission.
Ekpenyong identified education as one of the key pathways to unlocking the potential of young people, especially in science and technology.
He urged the commission to scale its reach and amplify its impact by partnering with technology hubs.
In his welcome address, the Imo representative at the Board of the NDDC, Mr Kyrian Uchegbu, described the anniversary as a celebration of joy.
Speaking for the people of Imo, Uchegbu urged the NDDC to continue to partner with the state government, especially in the areas of youth development and agricultural infrastructure development.
He welcomed all the delegates, youths, and women of the Niger Delta while urging them to make the most of the occasion.
Former National President of NACCIMA, Mr Dele Oye, presented a paper entitled “Encouraging the Spirit of Creativity and Innovation, Adoption in Women and Youths for Entrepreneurship/Skills Development in Niger Delta.”
Mrs Chinyere Ordu, the Principal Archdeacon, Crowther Memorial Girls School, Elelenwo, Rivers State, also spoke on “Directing Gender Issues towards Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in the Niger Delta.”
