From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, has described as ‘surmountable’ the myriad of problems afflicting the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku, who spoke at a flag off of a 2-week course on on strategic management and leadership for newly promoted directors, yesterday in Abuja, identified environmental degradation caused by oil exploration, inadequate infrastructure, educational disparities and healthcare deficiencies, as some of the snags.

He maintained that concerted efforts, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment by leaders would solve the problem stagnating the region.

Represented by Obegha Julius Oworibo of the NDDC Human Resources Department, he said: “The Niger Delta region is not j ot just a geographical entity; it is a place where dreams are born and nurtured, where cultures thrive, and where people’s lives are intertwined with the rich tapestry of our environment. It’s a region blessed with abundant natural resources, but also beset by unique challenges.

“We are all acutely aware of the myriad of challenges that have plagued the Niger Delta for decades. From environmental degradation caused by oil exploration to inadequate infrastructure, from educational disparities to healthcare deficiencies – the list seems endless. Yet, it is in the face of these challenges that leaders emerge, and solutions are forged.

“Our region’s challenges are not insurmountable, but they do require a concerted effort, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment.

“This is where…