The foremost youth organisation in the Niger Delta Region, the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for reconstituting the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pledging to work with the new management team led by Obong Nsima Ekere for the development of the region.

In a statement jointly signed by the group’s National President, Comrade Joe Jackson, and Secretary, Comrade Amakuro Isaac, the NDYM said the reconstitution of the NDDC board with credible, competent, experienced and versatile Nigerians has clearly demonstrated that President Buhari was an apostle of due process and the rule of law.

The group said it was confident that the appointees will reposition the board for effective service delivery.

It stated that it was particularly pleased over the choice of Obong Ekere as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, describing him as “a seasoned technocrat, administrator and team player who could not have come at a better time than now being a former Deputy Governor with vast contacts in the nine Niger Delta states drawn from his past positions of responsibilities.”

The NDYM expressed the belief that Obong Ekere will be the arrowhead of government’s quest to tackle the problems of the Niger Delta region.

It condemned attempts by some individuals and groups to cause disaffection, disunity and crisis in the region, explaining that what the Niger Delta needed at the critical moment was peace, progress, socio-political and economic development and a clean and friendly environment.

The group declared that the time has come for all Niger Deltans to look beyond partisanship and other divisive considerations in building a Niger Delta region all Nigerians will be proud of, calling on all stakeholders to exhibit selflessness, patriotism, nationalism, and politics of inclusiveness which the appointment of Obong Ekere symbolised.

“Let us also use this medium to warn mischief makers that we will resist any attempt by any individual or group to undermine the efforts of the Buhari-led administration and the new management of the commission at developing the region. We pledge our unalloyed support, solidarity and cooperation to the President and the incoming management board led by His Excellency, Obong Nsima Ekere, and urge all Niger Deltans to give peace a chance and support government’s efforts at bringing a lasting peace to the region for the betterment of the region and country,” the youths admonished.

•Photo shows NDDC MD, Obong Nsima Ekere.

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