…Ekere, MD, Ifowodo, Others make list
President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as the Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Buhari, in a letter to Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also nominated erstwhile deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere as the new Managing Director of the commission to take over from Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who is currently acting as MD of the commission while the name of Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, to represent Delta State on the board of the commission, was also forwarded. Dr Ifowodo, a Lawyer, Writer and former University lecturer, is also a member of Editorial Advisory Board of The New Diplomat Newspapers. He brings on board to NDDC a wealth of experience and rich professional pedigree in Development issues. The Executive Director in charge of Projects is also from Delta State. He is believed to be a young Urhobo man from Ughelli North who was put forward by Olorogun Otega Emerher, former APC Governorship candidate in Delta State.
Multiple sources confirmed the nominations last night. It was learned, yesterday, that the letter forwarding the nominations of the new board was already with the Senate President and may be read to the Senators at the plenary today.
The constitution of the new board of the NDDC follows last year’s dissolution of the Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw-led board. That board was dissolved amidst infighting among board members leading to a paralysis of the board between then chairman and some executive members, a dispute that subsequently led to a court case between the board members and the Federal Government. The case is still pending at the National Industrial Court, Abuja.
Senator Ndoma-Egba, the chairman nominee, who has an LL.B degree from the University of Lagos and an LL.M degree from the University of Calabar, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978 and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2004. He was Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Calabar branch, and President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce. He became a commissioner in Cross River State at the age of 27 and subsequently progressed in his legal career before winning election to the Senate in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He served in the Senate for three terms and was in his last term between 2011 and 2015, the leader of the Senate. He, however, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in February 2016 following a prolonged cold relationship with the state branch of the PDP.
Mr. Nkere who has been nominated for the position of Managing Director of the NDDC was a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State but forced to step down in 2012 amidst intrigues.
