By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, May 28, 2026
PORT HARCOURT – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has restated its unwavering commitment to prioritising the inclusive and sustainable development of children across the Niger Delta region.
The interventionist agency emphasised that ensuring equal opportunities for every child, regardless of their background, remains central to its holistic development strategy for the region.
The NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made this disclosure during the commemoration of the International Children’s Day 2026. The event, which brought together stakeholders, educators, and children from various communities, was held at a prominent event centre in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
This year’s celebration, themed “The Future Now – Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” served as a platform for the commission to highlight its shifting focus toward robust human capital development alongside its traditional mandate of physical infrastructure delivery.
Dr. Ogbuku, who was ably represented at the occasion by the NDDC Deputy Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Mrs. Chioma Nwakwue, noted that the well-being and growth of the region’s children cannot be sidelined if permanent peace and prosperity are to be achieved.
“Children’s Day is more than just any celebration,” Ogbuku stated. “It is a reminder of our duty to protect every child in the Niger Delta region and give them equal opportunities, regardless of their diversity and background.”
Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda
The NDDC boss explained that the commission’s current blueprint heavily aligns with federal initiatives aimed at social positioning and poverty alleviation.
He noted that the 2026 Children’s Day theme directly resonates with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of the Year of Families and Social Development.
According to Ogbuku, the NDDC is actively tailoring its regional interventions to mirror the federal government’s overarching governance direction.
”At the NDDC, we align with the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve education, healthcare, social protection, and economic opportunities for Nigerians,” he said. He further argued that true regional transformation begins with targeted internal investments, identifying children as the primary beneficiaries of sustainable development.
“Through investments in education, healthcare, school infrastructure, skills, digital empowerment, and social welfare, the NDDC is committed to building a more inclusive and prosperous Niger Delta,” the Managing Director added.
The event featured insightful mentorship sessions designed to inspire the young attendees. Delivering a keynote charge at the celebration, a prominent scholar and guest speaker, Dr. Moses Egorerua, urged the children to approach their academic pursuits with utmost seriousness. He described education not merely as a privilege, but as a fundamental human right and an indispensable tool for personal advancement and broader societal transformation.
In an era dominated by rapid technological evolution, Dr. Egorerua also touched on the realities of the digital age. He cautioned the youths against the negative distractions of cyberspace, urging them instead to maximize the power of the internet. He specifically challenged them to make productive use of social media platforms for structured learning, self-improvement, and skills acquisition.
Furthermore, Dr. Egorerua encouraged the children to look outward by participating in community service. Engaging in local volunteer work, he argued, is a proven pathway toward building essential leadership capacity, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility early in life.
In practical demonstration of its commitment to digital empowerment and literacy, the NDDC distributed vital educational technologies and learning aids to the participating school children. Among the items distributed were high-tech U-Lesson tablets—loaded with curriculum-compliant academic content—alongside premium school bags and assorted learning materials.
According to officials, the distribution of the digital tablets is part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide between rural communities in the Niger Delta and their urban counterparts, ensuring no child is left behind in the modern economy.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude from the recipient children and school administrators, who commended the commission’s leadership for moving beyond rhetoric to provide tangible tools that support the daily educational needs of families within the region.
