Grand Knight Emeritus, Sir Tonna Okei, Ikuku Oma, President of the South Carolina Organization of African Unity (OAU) and U.S.-based advocate, has congratulated members of the Governing Board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on their recent celebration of first year in office, saying that their public leadership expertise, reformist mindset, and technocratic background, remains not just commendable but rapidly transforming the region and its people.
The Agbor Delta state born Okei also hailed The Federal High Court, Abuja, which recently dismissed a suit filed by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta State. challenging the appointment of Chiedu Ebie, as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He specifically praised, Justice Joyce Abdulmalki for insisting on the point of law that by the provisions of section 24(2) of the NDDC Act, the plaintiffs lack the locus standi to Institute the suit.
Speaking via a congratulatory message personally signed by him, dated Monday December 2, 2024, and made available to the press in Asaba, Delta state, Okei, emphasised that he is not surprised at the ongoing quality and effective leadership provision at the Commission as Mr. Chiedu Ebie, a lawyer and technocrat is from a family of leaders and at the forefront of promoting a paradigm shift, that makes the government more responsive to the people.
He highlighted several landmark achievements under Ebie’s led Governing Board and Management, to include; the completion of the 132KV transmission line and substation in Ode Erinje, Okitipupa, Ondo State, which ended a 15-year blackout in Ondo South Senatorial District. He also cited the construction of the 25.7km Ogbia-Nembe road project in Bayelsa State, connecting 14 riverine communities through seven bridges and 53 culverts, and the ongoing Youth Internship Programme targeting 10,000 young people as examples of the NDDC’s renewed commitment to development among others.
Okei, further praised Ebie’s ability to navigate the complex challenges facing the region, arguing that Ebie’s leadership style is grounded in deep knowledge of governance and the region’s developmental needs. He expressed confidence that Ebie’s board would avoid the internal conflicts that plagued previous administrations at the NDDC.
“There will be no misunderstanding, no strife, and no internal wars between the Managing Director and the Chairman. I believe this NDDC board will be the best. Barrister Chiedu Ebie comes from a noble home and has the capacity, ability, and vision to lead the Niger Delta to the next level,” Okei stated.
Okei, who is also a Notary Public and the Asoju Oba of Oyotunji stressed that Ebie’s prior roles as Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and Secretary to the State Government have equipped him with the necessary insight to address the region’s most pressing issues. He described Ebie as a “5G thinker,” capable of seeing beyond immediate challenges and collaborating with global counterparts to deliver meaningful progress.
Recalling a conversation with Ebie shortly after his appointment, Okei shared Ebie’s four-step strategy for redefining the NDDC: conducting a critical assessment of the commission, building a case management plan, implementing strategic interventions, and regularly reviewing progress to ensure effectiveness. “This approach shows that he knows exactly what he is doing, and I am confident that Barr. Ebie will lead the NDDC to the next level,” Okei added.
He concluded by expressing hope that Ebie’s leadership at the NDDC would lead to even greater opportunities within the federal government, noting that Nigeria needs forward-thinking leaders like Ebie to move the country forward.
“He is a great thinker, a builder, and an enabler. I believe he is going to make us proud, not just in the Niger Delta, but across Nigeria,”.
In a related development, Chief (Elder) John Ehikwe, has called on all well meaning Niger deltans of goodwill and Nigerians in general to ignore all forms of distractions coming from mischief makers and give unflinching support to Mr. Chiedu Ebie led Governing Board and Management of Niger Delta Development Commission, as Ebie is running the NDDC with the fear of God.
Speaking recently with Newsmen in Agbor, Delta state, Elder John Ehikwe, former Bendel State (Edo/Delta) Secretary of the now defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), noted that Nigerians have seen the marked difference between the achievements of Ebie’s leadership and those of his predecessors,
He stressed that he is not in anyway surprised by Chiedu Ebie’s sterling performance and transparent leadership style because Mr. Chiedu’s grand father was the first ordained Reverend of the Anglican Church in Ika nation whose two sons later became ordained Reverend gentlemen.
This is the type of family Chiedu Ebie hails from. Anybody or group of people thinking they can intimidate him into towing the Nigerian way of running a public office that he is holding on trust, have to think again because he cannot depart from his family tradition. Chief (Elder) John Ehikwe was quoted as saying.
