By Jennifer Y Omiloli
Tuesday’s Senate approved the candidates for the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Edo State’s former Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, has been confirmed by the Senate as NDDC Board Chairman.
Odubu, who was the first to appear before the Niger Delta Affairs Senate Committee, was deputy to Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), when he was Edo State Governor.
Also named as the NDDC Managing Director was a Delta State nominee, Chief Bernard Okumagba.
The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs by its Chairman, Peter Nwaoboshi.
Also confirmed by the upper legislative chamber are Otobong Ndem who is now the Executive Director, Projects and Maxwell Oko as Executive Director, Finance and Administration.
With Odubu, Okumagba, Ndem, and Oko, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa are represented in the NDDC board.
Also confirmed are by the Senate are Prophet Jones Erue (Delta), Chief Victor Ekhator (Edo), Nwogu Nwogu (Abia), Theodore Allison (Bayelsa), Victor Antai (Akwa Ibom), Maurice Effiwatt (Cross River), Olugbenga Elema (Ondo), Hon. Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo), Aisha Murtala Muhammed (Kano), Ardo Zubairu (Adamawa) and Amb. Abdullahi Bage (Nasarawa).
However, a nominee from Rivers State, Dr. Joy Yimebe Nunieh has not been confirmed by the Senate.
The development, according to Nwaoboshi, was because the nominee failed to appear before the Committee for screening.
