The Ag. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has been commended for the achievements she has recorded in life even as she marks her birthday. The commendation was made in a statement released in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by the Ag. MD’s Special Assistants.
In the statement signed by Bekee Anyalewechi, SA (Media & Communication), the aides noted that Semenitari had impacted on several generations, describing the 48 years of her life as “full of memories and events beneficial to humanity”.
The aides praised God for bringing Semenitari to head NDDC at a time when the Commission needed new direction and commended President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the choice. They praised her for rising to the challenge and demands of the office, admonishing her to maintain her focus as to accomplish President Buhari’s development agenda for the Niger Delta region.
“As your closest staffers, we know the burden that your current assignment has imposed on you. Daily, we have watched you exercise great faith in God, wisdom and tact in your resolve to reposition NDDC. We know the hurdles often raised against your forward movement by forces opposed to the change you have brought to the commission. But also, we have watched as you maneuvered those several booby-trap through the grace of God. The management and staff of the Commission, no doubt, have found new lease of life as their welfare has been a priority because you believe in a motivated workforce,” they added.
Continuing, the aides commended Semenitari for her reform initiatives in projects’ appropriation, fiscal regulations, motivation of contractors for quality delivery, improved management and staff welfare and devolution of authority to states’ offices.
The aides, which include Hon. (Dr.) Uwem Udoma (SA, Partnership/Government & Programmes); Opusenibo Marshall Tolofari (Projects); Patterson Ogon (Administration); Florence Kalio (Youth, Sports, Culture & Women Affairs); Hon. Chikordi Dike (Security) and Bakel Virginus (Finance), said that Semenitari, within the period of her duty at NDDC, has pursued changes which are in tandem with the reforms being implemented by the Administration of President Buhari. They observed that the level of rot Semenitari met in NDDC was reason enough to frighten even a giant but added that her love for the Niger Delta region drove to wear her helmet and take-on the huge challenge.
While wishing Semenitari healthier years ahead, the SAs expressed confidence in her ability to restore NDDC to the original aim for which it was set up in 2000. “We have no doubt in your ability to achieve Mr. President’s charge to you which is to restore NDDC to its core mandate which is to drive development in the Niger Delta region. So far, you have not given us any reason to question your resolve and competence in achieving that. Working with you has offered us the opportunity to know that hard work gives good health. Maybe, that is the secret of the healthy years you have enjoyed. Through you, we have learnt the true import of that saying that the reward for hard work is more work.”
They charged Semenitari to refuse distractions as to achieve her targets of rural development and better life for the vulnerable in the region. The aides congratulated the CEO and wished her many happy returns.
