By Paul Ebi
Amid swirling reports and tension surrounding the alleged coup attempt in the country, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was seen actively engaged in official duties in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he declared the Commission’s renewed commitment to agricultural transformation in the Niger Delta region.
Dr. Ogbuku, speaking at the opening of a two-day Strategic Stakeholders Meeting for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock from the nine NDDC mandate states, set the tone for discussions aimed at reshaping the region’s agrarian future.
In his address, Ogbuku unveiled the Commission’s plan for a Niger Delta Agricultural Summit, which he said would align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agrarian agenda and his drive toward achieving food security and economic stability for all Nigerians, particularly those in the Niger Delta.
> “The current NDDC Management Committee under my leadership is committed to fostering regional agricultural integration. This will culminate in a Regional Agricultural Summit—a platform where stakeholders will collaborate to develop a comprehensive master plan for the region’s agricultural development,” Ogbuku stated.
The NDDC boss emphasized that agriculture remains a critical pillar for sustainable growth, noting that the Commission is determined to move beyond rhetoric to implement tangible, result-oriented programmes that empower local farmers, boost productivity, and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Observers at the event noted that Ogbuku’s public appearance and active participation at the meeting dispelled social media rumours linking him to recent political unrest. The meeting, held in Port Harcourt, proceeded peacefully, attracting delegates from across the Niger Delta states and reaffirming the Commission’s focus on development despite the country’s tense political atmosphere.
With discussions centered on fisheries, livestock, and crop value chains, the session marks another milestone in NDDC’s ongoing efforts to reposition the Niger Delta as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance.
