December 12, (THEWILL) – A socio-cultural group in Delta State, under the aegis of Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide, has stated that Ms Lauretta Onochie is eminently qualified to hold the position of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board Chairman.
The group has, therefore, asked the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, to do all that is necessary to ensure that Ms Onochie, as well as other NDDC Board Nominees, are offered prompt and fair confirmation hearing at the Red Chambers.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on 23rd November, 2022, named Lauretta Onochie, as the substantive chairman of the Board of NDDC.
The President also appointed 15 other nominees as members of the board.
In an official statement issued at the weekend, Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide congratulated Ms Onochie, describing her as a round peg in a round hole.
In a statement jointly signed by Mr Okechukwu Awunor, Director of Media and Publicity; Ms Stella Ify Nwajei, President, Umu Anioma Lagos Mainland Chapter; Mr Jude Amin Utulu, President, Umu Anioma Malta Chapter; Ms Cynthia Nwanua, Coordinator Asaba Chapter; Mr Jude O. Okolo, Secretary General Umu Anioma Worldwide and Prince Emmanuel Ohai, Convener Umu Anioma Worldwide, the group stated that Ms Lauretta Onochie is eminently qualified to hold the position of NDDC Chair.
It further stressed, “Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(2) A of the NDDC Act, Cap N86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, we respectfully ask the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, to do all that is necessary to ensure that Ms Onochie, as well as other NDDC Board Nominees are offered prompt and fair confirmation hearing.
“At this time, we choose to ignore rumours and/or innuendos about a possible misunderstanding, between Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the Presidency, over Ms. Onochie’s nomination as NDDC Chair, which the naysayers are predicting may likely delay or derail Ms. Onochie’s confirmation as NDDC Chair. For avoidance of any doubt, we wish to state categorically that the Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide believes wholeheartedly that Ms. Lauretta Onochie is eminently qualified to hold the position of NDDC Chair. More like, a round peg, in a round hole.”
The group urged the Deputy Senate President and indeed, the Delta State delegation to the Nigerian Senate not to allow any misunderstanding they might have with the Presidency, to prevent them from doing the needful.
The Foundation also encouraged the Delta State delegation to the Senate, to do all within its power to ensure that Ms. Onochie, a bonafide citizen of Nigeria and indigene of Delta State in particular, is given all the assistance deemed necessary to ensure a prompt and fair confirmation hearing.
Umu Anioma Foundation made it clear that Ms. Lauretta Onochie is a Founding Member of the Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide.
“Be that as it may, our duty, as the global organisation of Anioma people, that has as one of its principal objectives, the promotion of Anioma Cultural Heritage by fostering the economic, social and political awareness of Anioma people in Nigeria and around the world, in addition to seeing that all the people in the Anioma communities have the Freedom, Support and Advocacy to pursue their dreams and aspiration is not diminished by her previous association with us”, the statement added.
The Foundation equally emphasised that it is with great sense of pride and sense of duty to publicly congratulate Ms Onochie and show their support to her for her dedicated service to the country over the years.
Umu Anioma Foundation Inc. is a not-for-profit and non-governmental, socio-political organisation of the Anioma people, with bi-sect headquarters in Asaba, Nigeria and Atlanta, U.S.A.
While their Mission is geared towards organising, educating and activating Anioma people and to promote their general welfare, the group’s vision is to offer Anioma a compelling vision of common good, of how everyone can win.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
