NEWS
Constitute substantive board for NDDC, Clark tells Buhari
Elder stateman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark has appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a substantive Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without delay.
Clark made the appeal when members of the Delta Central All Progressives Congress Leaders of Thought (DELCAT) paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board was dissolved and the President authorised a forensic audit of the NDDC in 2021 following allegations of widespread corruption at the commission.
Buhari had expressed disgust that a few individuals entrusted with the management of the special development fund for the Delta had squandered the resources for more than 20 years, without tangible results.
Clark said that when the Forensic Audit Report was submitted to Buhari on Sept. 2, 2021, he promised to constitute a substantive board for the commission.
“About 10 months after, no board is constituted. This is affecting the duties of the commission, and the people of the Niger-Delta region because there is a limit to the things an Interim administration can do.
“The yearning of the people of the Niger-Delta is for the Federal Government to constitute a substantive board.
“Any other agitation, especially from some greedy and self-centred persons for Mr President to appoint another Interim administrator will be resisted,” he said.
The elder statesman said that there were speculations that government was in the process of appointing another interim administrator for the NDDC.
“If this is true, it will mean that it will be the fourth time an interim administrator will be appointed in total neglect of the act setting up the commission.
“This is an aberration. The people of the Niger-Delta have been patient and understanding enough.
“As Mr President ends his tenure, we plead and wish that the cordial relationship which has been established out of very deliberate and concerted efforts should not be truncated.
“We plead with him not to listen to the selfish demands of few individuals who want to continue to despoil and milk dry the region,” he said.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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