Urges Buhari To Inaugurate Odubu’s Screened Board
By Ovie Okpare
The Ovie (king) of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Udurhie 1, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the Dr Pius Odubu-led 16-man Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which has been screened and confirmed by the National Assembly.
Udurhie 1 said the act establishing the interventionist agency has no place for the position of a “sole administrator” for the Commission.
President Buhari had recently appointed Mr. Effiong Akwa as the Sole Administrator of the Commission following the sacking of the Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC.
The appointment of the sole administrator has, however, been rejected be leaders and stakeholders in the region.
The monarch spoke on Monday at his palace in Jesse, the traditional headquarters of Idjerhe Kingdom, when he received the leadership of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid him a solidarity visit.
He posited that the appointment of a ‘sole administrator’ is against the wishes of the people of the Niger Delta and it is capable fueling renewed crisis and agitation that could threatened the relative peace in the oil-rich region.
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The traditional ruler, a veteran journalist before his ascension as Idjerhe monarch, said he and other royal fathers are worried that the region is gradually sliding into another rounds of hostilities which could threaten the existing peace in the region.
Udurhie 1, while describing the constitution of a sole administrator as illegal, appealed to President Buhari to quickly swear-in the Odubu-led board which has Chief Benard Okumagba as Managing Director of the commission.
According to him, “Whatever happens in that ministry (Niger Delta Affairs) is our serious concern. I say it very loud that attempt (s) by group of persons force a sole administrator on NDDC is totally unacceptable.
“NDDC is a Niger Delta concern and getting a budget of almost N500 billion in the hands of a sole administrator is unacceptable and not known to the Act establishing NDDC. The NDDC Act of 2000 does not have a place for a ‘Sole Administrator’.
“So, I am using this medium to plead with the Federal Government of President Buhari to as a matter of urgency inaugurate the board that has been screened and confirmed by the National Assembly under the chairmanship of a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu with Chief Benard Okumagba as the Managing Director.
“As a traditional ruler, I’m no longer comfortable with what we are seeing (Niger Delta). Today, there’s this threat, tomorrow, there’s threat.
“I am one person that doesn’t believe that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari should be receiving several threats but I also believe the President also has to sit up and do the right thing as it concerns the Niger Delta by inaugurating the board of NDDC to save the region from avoidable crisis.”
The royal monarch also advocated for a constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country, adding that it would help save the country from the myriad of challenges currently confronting Nigeria by locally addressing issues of concern.
Udurhie 1 called on investors and companies to bring their businesses to Idjerhe Kingdom, assuring that there are available free lands for such development.
The traditional ruler, while thanking his visitors, assured the Delta NUJ Council chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeagwu and the Warri NUJ Chapel Chairman, Comrade Vicky Okies and their team of his continued support and partnership with journalists in Nigeria especially Delta State.
Earlier, the Delta NUJ Council chairman, Comrade Ikeogwu, who led other journalists including the Managing Editor of NIGER DELTA TODAY Online, Mr. Theophilus Onojeghen, told the monarch that the Council was on a solidarity visit.
The Delta NUJ chairman said the National President of NUJ, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, and journalists in the country particularly in the state, are happy that one of their own has been elevated to the position of royal father.
He urged Udurhie 1 to ensure that his reign not only usher in peace and development to Idjerhe Kingdom but unite and uphold the tradition and customs of his subjects.
