By Eseoghene Emuke
A pan Urhobo interest group, Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group (UMDG) has appealed to ethnic nationality leaders in the Niger Delta region to support the appointment of Olorogun Bernard Okumagba and other members of the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
UMDG also similarly urged leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region to give their unalloyed support to the new NDDC board in the interest of the region’s socio-economic and infrastructural development under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria, and Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Theophilus Onojeghen, said some of the issues being raised by individuals and groups including governors from the region over the appointment were unnecessary and should be jettisoned.
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The statement, while thanking President Buhari on his careful selection of the new board especially the appointments of Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, as Managing Director designate, and Prophet Jones Erue, Commissioner representing Delta State, expressed assurance that the new board will not disappoint Mr President in the discharge of their assigned roles.
UMDG, however, congratulated all members of the new board on their well deserved appointment, saying the Managing Director designate, Okumagba, has the requisite experience and capacity to turn around the underdevelopment for which the oil-rich region was known for.
The group congratulated the chairman of the board, Dr Pius Odubu, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, Prophet Jones Erue and other members of the board, and strongly condemned those opposing the appointment.
“The Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group (UMDG) wishes to condemn the attack on President Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously appointed a new NDDC board to drive the development of the Niger Delta region. We are particularly happy with Mr President on the carefully selected board.
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“For the umpteenth time, we are proud to say that President Muhammadu Buhari, has displayed he loves the people of Niger Delta region. We are appealing to him not be sway by those sponsoring media attacks against him and members of the new NDDC board because the few disgruntle protesters do not represent the general feelings of the Niger Delta people are elated with the appointment”, UMDG said.
It further appealed to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator James Manager, Senator Peter Nwoaboshi and other federal lawmakers to immediately push for the screen of the appointee for their subsequent swearing in by President Buhari.
UMDG also appealed to the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Minister of (State) Niger Delta, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN) to support and work with the new NDDC board to fast-track the needed development to the region.
