The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for facilitating the rapid development of communities across the Niger Delta region.
Senator Okpebholo gave the commendation during the 67th Anniversary Celebration of the Ayakoro Annual Festival of Relocation at the King Ikiomoye Paul Nathan Square in the Ayakoro community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The Governor, who was the Chairman of the occasion, compared the movement of Ayakoro community from their original location to that of the Israelites, noting: “You have moved to a land flowing with milk and honey.”
He prayed for the community to continue advancing and progressing, stating, “One day, God will make the son of the Ayakoro community the Governor of Bayelsa State.”
In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Ogbuku, underscored the importance of the annual celebration by the Ayakoro community to commemorate the victory of their forebears over the threat of erosion.
He observed that the movement of the Ayakoro community had brought prosperity to the land and urged the people to continue to support development agencies in their efforts to develop rural communities.
Ogbuku Stated: “Whatever achievements the NDDC has recorded are made possible by the support of stakeholders who have provided the right environment for us to work. I urge all communities to continue supporting our contractors to ensure they deliver our projects on schedule.
The rapid development of the Ayakoro community demonstrates what can be achieved when communities support local development efforts.
In his goodwill message, the Special Guest of Honour and the Representative of Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Agadaga, lauded the NDDC boss for “changing the narrative of the Niger Delta region” and transforming communities hitherto neglected.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Town, HRH. Righteous Inegbagha, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Paramount Ruler of the Ayakoro Community, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, for his contribution to making the festival a success.
He stated: “The Ayakoro Annual Festival, known as Eyal Obeyin (crossing), was born out of the need to honour and immortalise the founding fathers of the community.” They were the leaders who, through their visionary leadership, embarked on and accomplished a great feat in the historic resettlement of the entire Ayakoro community on February 12, 1958, from the old settlement to the present-day Ayakoro.
The efforts of the founding fathers were propelled by the significant threat posed by coastal erosion, considering the untold suffering that future generations might face. Today, we are all beneficiaries of their visionary efforts. They deserve an extraordinary celebration.”
The Chairman of the Ayakoro Annual Festival Committee, Comrade Majesty Inegbagha, thanked the Edo State Governor and the other dignitaries who graced the occasion. He described Chief Ogbuku as “our illustrious son, who is seen as “the Light of the Niger Delta.”
