NDDC AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO KIDS OF SLAIN POLICEMAN

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has awarded scholarships to university level to all seven children of Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko, the policeman who lost his life while courageously aborting an armed robbery attack on a bank in Owerri, Imo State, last year.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere, announced this on Saturday after receiving the Public Service Award at the Sun Awards in Lagos. He also announced the donation of one million naira to the family of the deceased who was equally honoured at the award ceremony as the Nigerian Hero of the Year.

Ekere stated that the NDDC was working with State Governments and security agencies to tackle what he called the very serious security challenges in the Niger Delta.

He expressed delight with the award, describing it as a validation of the efforts of the present board and management of the NDDC to uplift the Commission, make it more transparent, restructure its governing system, restore its core mandate and end the era of non-performing contracts.

The Publisher of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji Kalu, who presented the award, explained that Ekere was honoured in recognition of his development strides for the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.

He noted that the presence of members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Niger Delta at the ceremony showed that the NDDC boss was democratic in the way he administered the Commission.

Kalu charged Ekere to continue to deliver on his duties to the people of Niger Delta.

The NDDC boss was escorted to receive the award by a host of personalities including the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr. Umana Umana, the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the NDDC, Mr. Samuel Frank, former governorship aspirants, Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok and Mr. Solomon Etim. Others were Senator Aloysius Etok and former local government chairmen, Otuekong Ekerete Ekpenyong and Mr. Michael Etim.

Distinguished Nigerians similarly honoured at the Sun Awards included the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as Outstanding Politician of the Year, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as The Sun Man of the Year and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, as Governor of the year.