Emmanuel Ukudolo I Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a significant two-day strategic meeting aimed at laying the groundwork for a major agricultural revolution across the nine Niger Delta states. The high-level talks, which began Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, bring together commissioners, permanent secretaries, and directors of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock from the region.
The meeting serves as a crucial step in the NDDC’s commitment to actualizing the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” in the region, particularly focusing on the critical issue of food security.
Alignment with National Vision
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, is scheduled to address the stakeholders and outline his ambitious plan for an agricultural retreat and summit for the Niger Delta.
This move directly aligns the Commission’s efforts with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agrarian programme, signaling a concerted regional effort toward economic diversification and stability.
In an invitation extended to the state officials, Dr. Winifred Madume, the NDDC Director of Agric and Fisheries, emphasized the Commission’s determination to bring the Federal Government’s vision to fruition in the region.
Dr. Ogbuku has previously assured the public that the Commission would fully align with the President’s agricultural agenda, viewing it as a platform for fostering peace and security in the historically volatile Niger Delta.
He reiterated his commitment to a comprehensive, integrated approach: “Any time from now, the NDDC will convene a mini-agricultural retreat for state governments and commissioners of agriculture. States in the region have their various areas of strength in agriculture. We aim to establish regional agricultural integration,” he stated.
This initial integration is intended to pave the way for a full regional agricultural summit, where a comprehensive master plan for the region’s agricultural sector will ultimately be developed.
Engaging Stakeholders for Development
The Managing Director affirmed the NDDC’s focus on broad engagement, stressing that the Commission is actively consulting all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in developing the Niger Delta, which he noted has been “hitherto neglected.”
Reflecting on national policies, Dr. Ogbuku underscored the importance of localizing the Federal Government’s agricultural initiatives.
He said the NDDC would continue to prioritize and promote programmes that effectively enhance food security and significantly reduce poverty across the states under its purview.
