On Tuesday, December 20, the Senate confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on New Media, Lauretta Ineanyi-Onochie, as the substantive Chairman for the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission.

After the screening of nominees last Friday at the National Assembly complex, the Senate confirmed 12 more members at the plenary.

Buhari named 14 individuals as Executive Directors and Managing Directors in a letter to the Senate.

Amos Bulus, chairman of the Niger Delta committee who presented a report on Tuesday, said the nominees possess the requirements to be on the NDDC governing board.

He however disclosed that Pius Odudu and Anthony Okanne, nominees from Edo and Imo states, respectively, did not show up for the screening exercise.

Bulus said;

“During our screening exercise, two of the nominees were absent and information was not given by the senior special assistant to the president of the national assembly (senate) for their absence.

“The committee stepped down their screening due to their absence. The nominees possess the competence, and integrity to lead the commission.

“The committee noted that they are fit.”

Samuel Ogbokwu, from Bayelsa State, was appointed as Managing Director and would serve for two years to complete the term of his predecessor in office.

Other members are Dimg alt='Senate confirms Lauretta Onochie as NDDC board chairman' class='img-responsive text center style='margin: auto;' ba Erugba, representing Abia State, Dr. Emem Willcox Wills ( Akwa Ibom), Denyanbofa Dimaro (Bayelsa State), Hon. Orok Duke (Cross River) and Dr. Pius Odudu ( Edo State).

Others included Engineer Anthony Ekenne (Imo State), Hon. Gbenga Edema (Ondo State), Elekwachi Dimkpa (Rivers State), Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Abubakar ( Nasarawa State, representing North-Cenral zone), Alhaji Sadiq Sami Sule – Ikoh ( Kebbi State, North-West) and Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN, (Adamawa State, North-East).

The President also appointed Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) from Edo State as the (Executive Director, Finance) and Charles Ogunmola, from Ondo State, as the Executive Director, Projects.