By Eseoghene Emuke
The apex socio-cultural umbrella of Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Congress (UPU) has congratulated the newly appointed board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) including the Managing Director, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba and Commissioner representing Delta State on the board, Prophet Jones Erue.
UPU also urged all Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta region to support the newly constituted NDDC Board to succeed and meet the developmental yearnings of the under-developed oil-rich region.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by its President-General, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Oghenerume Taiga, UPU expressed confidence that the new MD of the interventionist commission, Olorogun Okumagba, would meet the yearnings and expectations of the people of the region.
Taiga, while hailing the appointment, described the appointment of Okumagba, Prophet Erue from Delta State and other appointees as well deserved and welcomed by the people of the region.
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The UPU President-General appealed to “all the Ethnic nationalities in the mandate areas of the NDDC to support and cooperate fully with the new Board of the NDDC to enable it succeed.
“We can all do that by eschewing unnecessary rivalry, politics and any form of distractions, but to collectively work and contribute towards the success of the Board so that our region can enjoy the much-needed growth and development.”
Taiga thanked and praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment, adding that the appointees would not disappoint Mr President in entrusting them with their offices.
According to him, “We are confident that Olorogun Bernard Okumagba will perform creditably well in office and meet the expectations of the Niger Delta and Nigerians, in general. Bernard Okumagba is not only an experienced technocrat and intellectual, but is a Child of Chief Daniel Okumagba, who was pioneer Chairman of Ajaokuta Steel Complex and one of the most patriotic, courageous and finest breeds of the Urhobo Nation that ever lived.
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“Bernard was raised in the Urhobo tradition of truth, equity, courage, integrity, liberation and passion for excellence, among others, which his legendary father truly epitomised in his lifetime. This gives us confidence that as Managing Director of the interventionist agency; he will do no less and contribute greatly to the growth and development of the Niger Delta, and Nigeria.
“The UPU and the entire Urhobo Nation are praying for him to succeed in office, and we will give him all the support as he delivers on the mandate of his office. We congratulate him, Prophet Jones and other members of the newly-constituted Board of the NDDC on their appointments, just as we thank His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for appointing our son into this exalted office.”
