Tinubu appoints Chiedu Ebie, as Onochie’s replacement on NDDC Board, management, retains Ogbuku as CEO
Oredola Adeola
Two months after dissolving Lauretta Onochie-led board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie (Delta State) as the new Board Chairman with a new team, thereby retaining Dr. Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa) as the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The statement confirming the appointment of the Board and Management team was announced Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) obtained by EnergyDay on Tuesday.
According to the statement, other members of the Board are Mr. Boma Iyaye (Rivers) Executive Director (Finance and Admin), Mr. Victor Antai (Akwa-Ibom) Executive Director (Projects), Ifedayo Abegunde – and Executive Director (Ondo) Corporate Services.
State Representatives are Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa), Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom), Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya (Delta), Chief Tony Okocha (Rivers), Hon Patrick Aisowieren, (Edo), Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu (Imo), Victor Kolade Akinjo (Ondo), Chief Dimgba Eruba (Abia) and Mr. Asu Oku Okang (Cross River)
Other Zonal Representatives are Hon. Nick Wende (North Central), Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak (North East), and Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, (Northwest).
In a remark after the appointment, President Tinubu charged the new Board and Management team to ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.
PROFILE OF EBIE
Chiedu Ebie, the new Board Chairman, is a lawyer, oil and gas executive, entrepreneur, and public servant, from Agbor-Alidinma in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He has served as the former Commissioner for Basic & Secondary Education in Delta State. He has also held positions such as managing director and chief executive officer of Millenium Oil and Gas.
Chiedu Ebie is an expert in the oil and gas industry and has been involved in indigenous hydrocarbon exploration and business development. He previously served as the managing director of Millenium Oil & Gas Company Limited, which operates in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta region.
His affiliation with the company began in 2003 when it successfully bid during the federal government’s initial marginal field licensing round.
During his time there, he played a key role in raising $30 million in financing and guiding the firm’s exploration and production activities in the Oza marginal field.
RESPONSIBILITY OF NDDC BOARD CHAIRMAN
As the new Board Chairman of the NDDC, Ebie will be responsible for providing leadership, oversight, representation, accountability, and collaboration to fulfill the commission’s mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
He will specifically be responsible for formulating policies, monitoring the implementation of projects and programs, advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta region, promoting good governance practices, conducting regular audits, and facilitating effective communication and coordination.
