UYO – In a landmark event aimed at rejuvenating the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) hosted a Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt. The significant gathering aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and brought together a diverse group of regional stakeholders to discuss and address the pressing issues facing the region.

The summit, themed “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta,” began with a Pre-Summit Technical Session on July 10th at J’s Signature Hotel. Chaired by Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma, the ses­sion featured a keynote address from National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who an­nounced the creation of a new directorate within his office specifically to address the Niger Delta’s security challenges, highlighting the federal gov­ernment’s commitment to the region.

Governors, dignitaries, and other stakehold­ers delivered goodwill messages, emphasising the need for cohesive and strategic development. Pre­sentations outlined the seven pillars of the Niger Delta Regional Development Strategy (NDRDS): Economic Development, Social Development, In­frastructure Development, Environmental De­velopment, Security, Law & Order, Governance & Institutions, and Finance.

Seven syndicate sessions formed the summit’s core, each focusing on one of the NDRDS pillars. These sessions allowed participants, including the NDDC Advisory Committee, regional gov­ernors, traditional leaders, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, and IOCs, to engage in detailed discussions about current challenges and potential solutions.

The main event took place on July 12th at the Obi Wali Cultural Center, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour and former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jon­athan serving as Chairman. Senate President Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio doubled as rep­resentative of the President and Chief Host. Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, delivered an impactful keynote address that set the stage for the plenary discussions.

Plenary sessions reviewed and discussed the findings and recommendations from the Tech­nical Session. The summit concluded with the adoption of several key resolutions aimed at driv­ing sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

Key resolutions captured in the communique issued at the end of the summit include the reacti­vation of the NDDC Advisory Committee to mon­itor and advise on the Commission’s activities, ensuring compliance with the NDDC Act, 2000.

To ensure fund recovery and legislative ac­tions, the summit resolved to pursue all funds owed to the Commission, legislate additional funding sources, and improve financial syner­gy. It called for the removal of the Commission from the TSA Policy, adherence to tenure provi­sions, and the avoidance of frequent Board dis­solutions to ensure operational enhancements. The summit also prioritized the completion of the East-West Road and emphasised the need for robust consultation to avoid project duplication to improve infrastructure development.

On education, training, healthcare, and san­itation, the summit resolved to update the edu­cational curriculum to meet 21st-century needs, with a focus on technical and vocational training. It also called for securing sufficient funding and fostering private sector partnerships.

To promote inclusion and representation, the summit resolved to increase women’s representa­tion and prioritise programs for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD). Other key resolutions included investment in sports, tourism, culture, and hospitality sectors and the initiation of the Niger Delta Development Bank (NDDB) to sup­port SME growth.

On technological integration, environmen­tal management, and economic diversification, the summit set goals to use modern technology for project monitoring and evaluation, establish waste management plants, implement erosion control projects, promote biodiversity conser­vation, and shift the regional economy from oil dependency to agriculture.

The well-attended summit, which also re­solved to maintain regular stakeholder en­gagements to ensure continuous development, concluded with a united commitment to these resolutions. This symbolised a collective effort to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region. With strategic stakeholder engagement and a clear vision, the NDDC aims to transform the Niger Delta, aligning with the broader nation­al agenda and ensuring a brighter, more prosper­ous future for all its inhabitants.