NDDC REFUTES REPORTS ON ALLEGED EXPIRATION OF BOARD TENURE

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has refuted reports published in an online newspaper, The Next Edition wherein Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Abosede was reported to have granted an interview affirming expiration of tenure of the NDDC board.

But in a statement, Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi said the report is far from the truth and that the reporter must have written the headline before approaching the agency for an interview.

“We read with dismay, disappointment and displeasure the sensational and grossly misleading story published on Monday, February 5, 2018, by online medium, The Next Edition, headlined “EXCLUSIVE: NDDC Spokesperson Confirms Board Tenure Expired”, which seeks to create the dubious impression that the Director, Corporate Affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, “confirmed that the tenure of the Governing Board of the Commission had expired.”

“We want to state categorically that at no time during a telephone conversation with the reporter, Mr. Isine Ibanga, did Mr. Abosede say what the headline and lead paragraph purport him to have said and demand the publication of the recording and full transcript of that so-called interview. Indeed, the rest of the report, particularly where Mr. Abosede is quoted by Mr. Ibanga, proves that no such statement was either made, implied or categorically stated.

“The headline for this report was perhaps written before Mr. Ibanga spoke with the Director, Corporate Affairs, and this is sad and far from being professional”, adding that the Commission is fully aware that a suit (FHC/PH/CS/170/2017) has been filed on this matter and that Mr. Abosede could, therefore, not have commented on an on-going court proceeding nor make the statement falsely credited to him, which would be subjudice.

“Consequently, we urge the public to disregard the said story”, he said, adding that the Commission remains eager and open to engage with the media to provide information necessary for diligent and professional news reporting.

“We wish to state that truth must remain the bedrock upon which journalism thrives and every society flourishes”, he said.