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Reps Say NDDC Budget Must Deliver Real Impact for Niger Delta
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By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has declared that the 2025 NDDC budget will be subjected to strict scrutiny to ensure it delivers measurable development outcomes for communities in the Niger Delta.
Speaking on Tuesday during the budget defence of the Commission at the National Assembly in Abuja, Rep. Ibori-Suenu said the NDDC budget remains a vital instrument through which the Federal Government brings development to the oil-producing region.
In her welcome address, the Committee Chairman said the session was a reflection of a shared commitment to the progress of the region.
She said: “The importance of the NDDC budget cannot be over-emphasised. It remains the principal vehicle through which the Federal Government delivers meaningful development to the people of the Niger Delta.
“Your attendance underscores the significance we all attach to this critical exercise and our shared commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region”.
She commended the Managing Director of the Commission and his team for honouring the invitation, describing their presence as a mark of responsibility and dedication to public service.
According to the committee chair, the House would not treat the 2025 budget as routine, as she emphasised that lawmakers will go beyond approval to ensure that allocations translate into visible improvements in people’s lives.
She listed key priority areas to include infrastructure development, human capacity building, youth empowerment and economic inclusion across the Niger Delta.
Rep. Ibori-Suenu made it clear that the coming fiscal year will mark a departure from past practices.
“As a Committee, we recognise that our duty goes beyond mere approval; it is our responsibility to subject this budget to rigorous scrutiny to ensure that every allocation translates into tangible outcomes for the people.
“It is important to clearly state that the 2025 NDDC Budget will not be business as usual. Every line item must be purposeful, people-centred, and strategically aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” she stated.
She added that the budget must directly address long-standing development gaps and ensure inclusive growth. While assuring the Commission of the committee’s support, the lawmaker emphasised that accountability would not be compromised.
“This budget must speak directly to the aspirations of the Niger Delta people by addressing longstanding developmental gaps, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring that no community is left behind.
“The House Committee on NDDC will continue to offer its unwavering and constructive support to the Commission, while also demanding accountability, transparency, and value for money in the execution of approved projects and programmes,” she said.
In his submission, the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Commission has shifted from a transactional approach to a transformational one, with a clear focus on practical outcomes.
Ogbuku explained that the transformation agenda is designed to be inclusive and far-reaching, covering key areas such as youth training, support for entrepreneurs, infrastructure delivery and overall development.
According to him, the Commission’s renewed direction is aimed at ensuring that its interventions have real impact on communities across the Niger Delta and contribute meaningfully to sustainable growth in the region.
“In line with the promise of the present Management to make the 2025 Budget participatory which is evident of why we are here has been to give the Niger Delta region, a new dawn of progress and development.
Giving a review of the 2024 NDDC budget, he said “an aggregate revenue of N1.911 trillion naira wes projected to fund the 2024 Budget “Budget of Renewed Hope”. This comprise Overhead costs of N76.77 billion and Capital cost of N1.820 trillion.
“As of October 31st, 2025, the Commission’s actual revenue stood at N1.945 trillion, exceeding the target of N1.911 trillion for April 2024 – September 2025 by 104%. This was largely due to the extension of the 2024 budget to December 31st, 2025.
“Due to extension of the capital budget, the performance of the overhead budget as shown in the above table for both 2024 and 2005 fiscal year.
“For the 2025 Budget, our main goal is to strengthen our foundation for sustainable economic growth, marking a snl from transactional to transformational approaches. A key focus is sectoral funding allocation, moving away from line-item budgeting that hindered contractors from resuming projects.
“The 2025 Budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation’, proposes N1.75 trillion based on revenue assumptions. This represents a 9% decrease from 2024, driven by no-borrowing approach.
“The proposed personnel budget estimates for 2025 personnel is N47.5 Billion. We shall sustain our efforts in managing our overhead costs. Accordingly, Overhead costs are projected at N96.4 Billion.
“Investing in critical infrastructure is a key component of our fiscal strategy under the 2025 Budget Proposals. The present Management are renavigating its process of intervention by adopting Public-Private-Partnership model as a vehicle to drive a sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region.
“Our fiscal reforms shail introduce new performance management frameworks to regulate the overhead cost. Accordingly, only activities that are tied to measurable programmes will be approved. We have moved away from the previously line tem budgeting system to sectoral allocation of fund to encourage confident.
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has marked his 61st birthday by sponsoring 120 inmates at the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, to sit for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.
The initiative, which took place at the correctional centre on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the Speaker’s birthday and continued his support for educational opportunities for inmates.
Speaker Abbas who was represented by his Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs, David Igbe Okponya said the gesture was intended to ensure that incarceration did not become a barrier to education, personal development and the opportunity for inmates to rebuild their lives.
Delivering the Speaker’s message to the inmates, he urged them to use their time in custody to prepare for life beyond the correctional centre.
He urged the inmates not to allow their present circumstances to define their future.
He said: “I leave you with three words: Believe. Learn. Rebuild. Believe that your future can be better. Learn everything that can make you a better person. And when the opportunity comes, rebuild your life and make a positive contribution to society.
“Let this occasion remind us that no human being should be defined only by his worst moment.
“Whatever brought you here is part of your history, but it does not have to define the rest of your life.
“Use your time here wisely. Read, study, learn a trade, acquire a skill, and build your character. When the opportunity comes for you to return to your communities, return prepared to contribute positively to your families and to Nigeria.”
The event also featured testimonies from previous beneficiaries of Abbas’ educational sponsorship, as well as the cutting of the Speaker’s birthday cake with inmates.
An inmate identified simply as Adeolu, who benefited from the Speaker’s examination sponsorship last year, expressed appreciation for the support.
“A big thank you” to the Speaker, he said, before adding, “The foundation builder—that is what we call him in here.”
Another former beneficiary, Chikwendu, recounted how the educational support helped him change his course of study from science to art before sitting for the NECO examination sponsored by the Speaker.
He said he eventually obtained seven distinctions.
“Last year, you were here to plant a seed. I want you to know that, that seed has germinated. We are indebted to our father, the Right Honourable Speaker,” Chikwendu said.
Giving an overview of the educational programmes in the FCT Command, the Education Desk Officer, DSC Adikwu Owoicho, disclosed that more than 2,000 inmates had been registered for various educational programmes.
He said inmates registered in 2025 recorded encouraging performances in both NECO and NABTEB examinations.
“The Speaker is taking the lead in the number of NECO and NABTEB registration sponsorships nationwide. The NGOs are doing their best, but the Speaker is taking the lead,” Owoicho said.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, who represented the Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, commended the Speaker for supporting the Nigerian Correctional Service’s efforts to reform and empower inmates.
The Comptroller General described education as a critical pillar of the Service’s mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
He also advocated employment opportunities for reformed inmates, saying those who had undergone rehabilitation were ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Representing the Deputy Controller General in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, SC Igomu Augustine, also appreciated the organisers for supporting inmates and the Service’s efforts to make them productive and better prepared for reintegration into society.
He said the Speaker was taking the lead in sponsoring the registration of inmates for NECO examinations across custodial centres.
The latest sponsorship formed part of his continued support for education and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at giving inmates opportunities to acquire qualifications, skills and the confidence needed to rebuild their lives after release.
Another Nollywood actor, Chijioke Nwokafor, popularly known as CJay Nwoks is dead.
He died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at an undisclosed hospital in the Badore area of Lagos State.
The sad news was announced by actress Nkechi Blessing, who recently cast CJay as the lead actor in her new film.
Speaking on why the film will no longer be released, Nkechi, who was seen crying in a video on her Instagram page, said, “it took me a lot to do this video because we won’t be dropping the movie again by 5pm.
Right now, I’m in the hospital in Badore. I just lost CJay. CJay is dead. I don’t even know where to start.”
The cause of his death is still very sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, declaring that Nigeria is making progress politically, socially and economically.
Abbas made the call in his Independence Day message to Nigerians as the country marked its 61st anniversary of independence on Thursday.
The Speaker noted that Nigeria had continued to mature as a nation, stressing that democracy was taking root in Africa’s most populous country despite the challenges confronting it.
He emphasised the importance of patriotism, peace and national unity, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards the country’s development, growth and prosperity.
Abbas also called on citizens to sustain their prayers and support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while stressing that nation-building must transcend political affiliations, ethnic differences and religious beliefs.
According to him, the task of building a prosperous nation requires a renewed sense of patriotism and a collective commitment to the common good.
He urged Nigerians to embrace a new national consciousness, love their country and remain dedicated to its progress, insisting that the responsibility for national development rests on every citizen.
The Speaker wished Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Independence Day celebration, expressing hope for a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Abbas Marks 61st Birthday by Sponsoring 120 Kuje Inmates For NECO, NABTEB
SAD! Another Nollywood star is dead
Independence: Nigeria Making Political, Economic Progress, Speaker Abbas Says
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