By Anthony Awunor

Apex socio-cultural group in Delta State, Ndi Anioma has thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for appointing one of their hardworking daughters, Lauretta Onochie as chairman of NDDC board.

The group in an official statement issued Thursday, jointly signed by Elder Emeka Esogbue National Coordinator, Ndi Anioma of Nigeria; Mrs. Esther Wright, Aniocha/ Coordinator Ndi Anioma of Nigeria in Diaspora; Comrade Marcus Enudi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani); Mr. Frank Ofili
(Oshimili) and Mr. Kingsley Orogodo (Ika) stated that they are very much delighted with the new development.

According to the statement “We, the members of Ndi Anioma of Nigeria, a registered socio-cultural body of the Anioma people at home in Delta State and in the Diaspora felicitate with our illustrious daughter and sister, Lauretta Ifeanyi Umebei Onochie over her nomination as substantive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. 

“We are overwhelmingly delighted with President Buhari’s belief in our irresistibly strong daughter and sister, Madam Lauretta Onochie who since her appointment as a Media Aide to His Excellency, President Buhari has demonstrated uncommon profound, vigorous and staggering patriotism in our dear nation, Nigeria. The emergence of Madam Onochie in the past few years of the life of this administration is heartening, exemplative and commendatory show of fervent loyalty to one’s leaders in the midst of all things.

“We further recall her usual outspoken rebukes which has commonsensically driven this administration successfully far and beyond the bounds and greatly pleased that all of these are aided testimonies in her nomination by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to head the NDDC and can only wish her nothing short of luck, joy and progress in this journey of great service to the Nigerian nation.

“Rising from the cradle of eagerness for national service, counting on hard work and media ardor, Lauretta Onochie, a clear depiction of due process from contributory life of integrity, cavity and hollow within the thickness of determination, strength of will and political power of perspicacity, carved for herself, a weighty niche and familiarity in Nigeria’s political environment and that is what our Anioma, a people rich and profuse in the area of human capital development is known for. The Anioma women, in their hantles, with blessed capacity for physical and mental exertion for making things to happen positively, are known for their distinguishing qualities of making global successes in their chosen endeavours as has been seen in our Dr. Mrs. Maryam Babangida, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof Joy Ogwu, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumaki, Dame Winifred Akpani and HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu to mention a few; and our men in socio-political and economic workshops  are noted in remarkable heroic Ekumeku deeds.

“This is what we see now in our Lauretta Onochie and we have always been proud of our people. Is it any surprise that having continued to contribute our part of quota of national development to our nation in every sphere possible, we wish that the government eyes remain on us? In the spirit of strong patriotism, our people happily wish to continue to give what we have to the globe.

“By this nomination, we expect the Senate to graciously act with prompt execution in screening and confirming our “Ada Anioma” as the next Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) taking into cognizance her wherewithal of leadership strength to achieve the predetermined means of managing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to turn the tide around for our productivity.  

“We, her Anioma brothers and sisters within the Ndi Anioma fold have no reservations whatsoever that with probity inherent in her, she will leave a legacy with the Board and Nigeria will smile for her years of achievements.

” We stand by our sister and wish her well in this appointed endeavour”, the group stated.