NDDC: Ukpebitere Hails Buhari On Appointment Of Okumagba, Others

By Sunny Basikoro

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Democratic Youth Movement, Barrister Andrew Ukpebitere, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of former Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Delta State, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba as the Managing Director (MD) of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ukpebitere made the commendation in a statement made available to journalists, issued in Effurun, Delta State, on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

The statement described Okumagba as a prudent finance expert and seasoned administrator.

He also noted that the Warri Urhobo, Delta South born political icon is the right candidate for the exalted position of MD of NDDC.

Barrister Ukpebitere who is a renowned Delta State All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwart, in the statement took a swipe at those opposing the appointment of Olorogun Okumagba for not being an indigene of a oil bearing community.

He noted that “though the immediate past Minister for State and Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu is not from a oil bearing community neither is he from an oil bearing area, yet he performed creditably well.

“Nobody opposed his appointment into a position that is even higher than that of MD of NDDC.” 

He also pointed out that Olorogun Bernard Okumagba hails from an oil producing ethnic group of Urhobo.

The statement therefore urged the good people of Niger Delta Region to appreciate and applaud President Buhari over his decision to appoint Olorogun Bernard Okumagba as MD of NDDC and to also support the new NDDC boss to carry out his good agenda for the oil rich region of Nigeria.

While congratulating Olorogun Bernard Okumagba on his appointment, the statement urged President Buhari to ignore those that are merely causing a storm in a tea cup over the well intended appointment of Olorogun Bernard Okumagba as MD of NDDC, describing them as those who do not mean well for Niger Delta.

“Their opposition is selfish based and do not represent the overall view of the region,” the statement added.

In a related development, Barr. Ukpebitere has also commented the Nigerian Judiciary on the outcome of the election tribunal cases that reaffirmed DSP Ovie Omo-Agege as the elected Senator of Delta Central Senatorial District, Hon. Halims Agoda as the winner of Ethiope Federal Constituency in the concluded 2019 election.

An elated Ukpebitere also hailed the tribunal judgment that nullified the Delta South Senatorial Election of Sen. James Manager and ordered for a rerun between him & Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Ukpebitere said this is a welcome development as the nullified election which was characterized with electoral malpractice was thrown into the bin thus restoring the hope of the common man.