Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Senate President President, Godswill Akpabio among others have arrived for Day 3 of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
The Summit, organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), assembles the people of the Niger Delta and policy experts to develop strategies and articulate a pathway for economic growth and development. Chairman of this year’s summit is Dr Good Luck Ebele Jonathan with Akpabio doubling as the chief host and representative of the special guest of honor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The theme of the 2024 summit is Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta region. The summit continued today after a break on Thursday. Governors of the nine states that make up the Niger Delta or their representatives were present at the summit. Following due protocol, the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, delivers a welcome address. He ends his address by encouraging the participants to have a fruitful conversation about the development of the Niger Delta region.
Former Nigerian President and chairman of the summit, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan addresses the audience wherein he detailed the history of NDDC, highlighted areas that the NDDC should focus on to develop the Niger Delta region, and praised the leadership of the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku.
It bears mentioning that all stakeholders in the region were given the podium to share their goodwill messages.
Governor Siminilayi Fubara of Rivers State was noticeably absent but was represented by Dr. George Nweke, who expressed the support of the Rivers State Government at the summit, and in his goodwill message he called for the immediate tackling of the impact of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region.
Governors of Abia State, Imo State, and Akwa Ibom states which are Alex Otti, Hope Uzodinma, and Umo Eno respectively were also absent but were represented by a proxy, their deputies. Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu for Abia. Deputy Governor, Chinese Ekomaru for Imo state. And Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi of Akwa Ibom state.
Notably, a representative of the World Health Organisation was present and delivered a goodwill message. The WHO representative used the opportunity to announce a partnership between the World Health Organisation and the Niger Delta Development Commission to strengthen healthcare services in the Niger Delta region in order to curtail and contain health risks in the South-South.
Former governors of cross rivers states like Donald Duke, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, and Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa also had the podium to share a message, and it was one of unity, between state governors in the Niger Delta and the NDDC to get their input and directions in the task of developing the region
Other notable speakers were Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings. The Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpeyong. The DG, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae.
Others were the Governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri. And Ondo state Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
