Egbe, Opukiri Jones-Ere task new NDDC boss on sports development

By George Aluo

The appointment of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the new Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been hailed as a right one which would rob off positively on sports.

Two Bayelsa State born  sports administrators, Ebi Egbe (Monimichelle ) and Prince Opukiri Jones-Ere former (Bayelsa sports commissioner) who spoke yesterday said Dr. Ogbuku is a sound mind that has the intellectual capacity to deliver on his new job.

Both men were quick to add that Dr. Ogbuku is also a lover of sports who would not hesitate to use sports to drive the development of the Niger Delta region.

Egbe said for the NDDC to achieve much, sports must be given the needed attention.

“There is no way we can put a stop to youth restiveness if sports is not given the needed attention. I m happy the new NDDC MD is a young man who understands the role sports can play. If the youths of the region is kept busy with sports, it would go a long way in curbing youth restiveness. Modern sports facilities should be provided by the NDDC to pave way for the discovery of hidden talents,” Egbe said.

Prince Opukiri Jones-Ere on his part charged the new NDDC boss to ensure sporting talents in the Niger Delta region are not allowed to rot away.

In his words…”The people of the Niger Delta region are joyful and glad with Ogbuku’s appointment. As Chief of Staff to Gov Timipre Sylva, Ogbuku supported grassroots sports programs in his hometown and State effectively. Other than Oil and Gas the Niger Delta region is richly blessed and has produced the greatest sports men and women in Nigeria.”