By Johnson Ebigide
Prominent Nigerian lawyer, policy analyst, and businessman, Eugene Azuka Uzum, has lauded Dr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for his unwavering commitment to the holistic development of Otolokpo Community in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speaking from his base in Canada during a recent virtual conference with Otolokpo elites at home and in the diaspora, Uzum described Ebie as a visionary leader whose efforts are redefining the essence of governance and public service delivery in the Niger Delta. He emphasized that the visible transformation currently sweeping through Otolokpo is a testament to Ebie’s deep understanding of grassroots needs and his proactive approach to sustainable development.
Dr. Chiedu Ebie, a technocrat and public servant with a sterling record, has become a beacon of hope for many underdeveloped communities in the Niger Delta. Since assuming office as Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, he has made deliberate efforts to decentralize development, ensuring that even the most rural communities are not left behind in the drive for infrastructural renewal and social upliftment.
In Otolokpo, a community previously grappling with poor infrastructure and neglect, Ebie’s intervention has been nothing short of transformational. One of the most impactful initiatives spearheaded under his leadership is the installation of high-quality solar electrification systems across the community. This project has significantly improved night-time security, boosted local economic activities, and created a more conducive environment for education and small businesses.
Equally commendable is the sinking of multiple water boreholes by the NDDC in Otolokpo, ensuring a steady supply of clean and safe drinking water. For years, access to potable water had been a pressing challenge for the residents, with many depending on unsafe sources that posed serious health risks. Today, thanks to Ebie’s foresight and commitment, families in Otolokpo now enjoy a basic but crucial amenity that has drastically improved their quality of life.
“Water is life,” Uzum noted, “and Dr. Ebie, through the NDDC, has given life to Otolokpo people by ensuring that safe drinking water is no longer a luxury but a reality.”
Uzum further revealed that Ebie enjoys widespread admiration not just within Otolokpo, but across the Ika Nation and Delta State at large. He noted that even the revered traditional ruler of the community holds the NDDC Chairman in high esteem for his people-oriented leadership.
“The people of Otolokpo, including our monarch, love and pray for Dr. Ebie. We see him not just as a leader, but as a son of the soil who has our interests at heart,” Uzum said. “We are proud of the legacy he is building and we assure him of our continued support and prayers.”
Beyond Otolokpo, Dr. Ebie’s leadership at the NDDC has brought about several laudable projects across Delta State and the Niger Delta region. These include the rehabilitation of critical road networks, provision of learning facilities in rural schools, youth empowerment initiatives, and environmental sustainability programs.
Uzum called on all Deltans and stakeholders in the region to rally behind Dr. Ebie, urging them to support his mission to bring equitable development to all corners of the Niger Delta through the powerful platform of the NDDC.
He concluded with a prayer: “May God continue to bless Dr. Chiedu Ebie with sound health and divine wisdom as he pilots the affairs of the NDDC. His work is a light of hope in our time, and we must all play our part in ensuring that light continues to shine.”
