Inaugurate NDDC board, Isoko people appeal to President Buhari

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Isoko people under the auspices of Isoko Ethnic Nationality Movement (IENM), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the Dr. Pius Odubu/Olorogun Bernard Okumagba confirmed NDDC Board for rapid development of the Niger Delta region.

In a release dated December 8, 2019 and signed by Hon. Goddy Ewerode, President Isoko Ethnic Nationality Movement , the Isoko people praised President Buhari for redefining governance through the formulation of policies that has transformed the Nigerian economy tremendously.

They however reminded the President of his uncompromised stance to uphold the rule of law and shouldn’t allow politicians with entrenched interest soil his reputation which has made him the envy of the entire Africa continent.

They appealed to the President to direct the immediate disbandment of the illegal Interim management committee appointed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio which was done in bad faith and in clear breach of the extant laws governing the NDDC.

The Isoko people however urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the sponsored protest being organized by vested interest groups to discredit the confirmation done by the Senate and urge Mr. President Buhari to inaugurate the substantive board as confirmed by the Senate, to ensure the infrastructural transformation of the Niger Delta region.

The group assured Mr. President that the new board made up of seasoned technocrats and administrators, will live above board and ensure a complete departure from the arbitrariness of successive management teams which contributed to the current situation.

Profile of Bernard Okumagba

Bernard Oboatarhieyeren Okumagba hails from Warri South Local Government Area of the Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State. He attended Government College Ughelli from 1977 to 1983 and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1983 to 1987 where he graduated with a B.sc degree in Accountancy (2nd Class Honours Upper Division). Bernard also qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991 and he is presently a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).

He started his working career at the International financial services firm Arthur Andersen & Co (now KPMG) in 1988. He later worked in several banks from 1991 to 2007. His banking career commenced at Oceanic Bank Plc in the Financial Control/Strategy as well as the Corporate Banking Divisions from 1991 to 1994.

Thereafter, he worked in Crystal Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Atlantic Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc from 1994 to 2007. He held several positions at these banks including Senior Manager, Corporate Banking Division, Head of Internal Control/Audit Division, Bank Chief Inspector and Principal Manager, Consumer and Commercial Banking Division amongst others. He left United Bank for Africa Plc in August 2007 following his appointment as Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.

He served as Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget from August 2007 to November 2010 and was subsequently appointed Commissioner for Finance and served in that capacity from November 2010 to May 2011. He was reappointed Delta State Commissioner for Finance in July 2011 and held this position until July 2013. He is presently Chairman of Regents Consults Limited, Chairman of Nigdel Oil and Gas Limited and a Director at Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc. Bernard Oboatarhieyeren Okumagba is a Leader of the All Progressives Congress from Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He was appointed the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) on 27th August, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari.