In a significant move towards addressing the unique health and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to collaborate with the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma in Bayelsa State, to promote impactful research initiatives.
During a courtesy visit by a delegation from NDU to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, expressed the commission’s commitment to working closely with the university on research endeavors. Dr. Ogbuku emphasized the importance of research in addressing ecological challenges, food production, and herbal medicine specific to the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director stated, “Our work at the NDDC goes beyond building roads and bridges; we are also concerned about manpower development which is the forte of universities. Our interventions are not limited to building physical infrastructure. The research from universities is equally important as we have challenges in the area of erosion and flooding.”
He encouraged universities to provide comprehensive solutions through research, stating, “Let us invest in the area of research to help us to appropriately intervene in the lives of our people.” Dr. Ogbuku assured that the NDDC was ready to offer support to universities in the region to prioritize research that addresses societal issues.
Dr. Ogbuku announced that the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, would lead a team on a site visit to the university to assess their needs. He highlighted the recent benefit of the NDU from the “Operation Light up the Niger Delta Programme” and expressed the commission’s commitment to furthering collaboration.
In response, Professor Allen Agih, the Vice-Chancellor of NDU, commended the NDDC for its efforts in enhancing the capacity of universities in the Niger Delta region. He acknowledged the positive impact of the ongoing solar-powered street light project within the university campus, enhancing security and night life.
Professor Agih sought collaboration in areas such as research in herbal medicine and food security, emphasizing the potential of the university’s herbal medicine department. He also appealed for support in establishing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center and providing accommodation for lecturers within the university campus.
The collaboration between the NDDC and NDU signifies a pivotal step toward addressing critical challenges in the Niger Delta region through research-driven solutions.
