metro
Ndoma-Egba exposes 62-step payment process, deep corruption at NDDC
Ndoma-Egba exposes 62-step payment process, deep corruption at NDDC
Former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has raised alarm over the deep-rooted inefficiencies and political interference crippling the agency, describing it as “a good idea trapped in bad politics.”
Speaking on “The Exchange Podcast” hosted by Femi Soneye, Ndoma-Egba revealed that contractors seeking payment from the commission must pass through a staggering 62 bureaucratic processes — or “tables” — before receiving funds.
“I was told it took 62 tables for a contractor to get paid,” he said. “Initially, I heard it was 53, but I was corrected. What does that mean? Serious bureaucracy. And what does bureaucracy breed? Inefficiency. What does inefficiency breed? Corruption.”
Ndoma-Egba, who chaired the NDDC between November 2016 and January 2019, lamented that the commission, originally designed to fast-track development in the oil-rich Niger Delta, has instead become a symbol of dysfunction.
Master Plan Dumped, Development Derailed
The former senator disclosed that the commission has been operating without a functional master plan — a foundational blueprint developed through consultations with stakeholders — which was abandoned shortly after its launch.
“It’s like building a house without a plan,” he said. “You can’t integrate a whole region economically if you don’t have a master plan guiding you.”
He blamed political pressures for the abandonment, saying the NDDC was being treated as a “share of the national cake” rather than a development institution.
READ ALSO:
- Soludo faces allegations of vote-buying over N1m cash-for-votes pledge
- Yemi Edun again named among UK most influential Black people
- N6.9m fraud lands train driver in Lagos jail
Leadership Instability and Political Interference
Ndoma-Egba’s tenure was abruptly cut short in early 2019 when the board was dissolved without notice, a move he said typifies the instability that has plagued the commission.
“We just saw it on television. No notice, no reasons — just gone,” he recalled.
He warned that the constant turnover of leadership has left the commission in a perpetual state of transition, unable to plan or execute sustainable projects.
“How can any board plan for the future when it doesn’t even know if it will last a year?” he asked.
Reform Attempts Met With Violence
Ndoma-Egba also recounted how efforts to investigate corruption were violently thwarted. After a contractor alleged that bribes were being paid for project payments, he and then Managing Director Nsima Ekere set up a panel to probe the claims.
However, the panel’s inauguration at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt was disrupted by thugs who stormed the venue and chased attendees away.
“That incident showed how deep the vested interests are in the system. It is a structure that fights back when you try to clean it up,” he said.
A Call for Reform and Stability
Despite the grim revelations, Ndoma-Egba believes reform is possible. He urged the Federal Government to allow NDDC boards to serve their full four-year tenure as prescribed by law.
“If leaders are assured of their tenure, they can plan properly and deliver,” he said. “But when they are constantly looking over their shoulders, they become reactive rather than strategic.”
The NDDC, established in 2000 to drive development in nine Niger Delta states, continues to face criticism over corruption, abandoned projects, and political meddling.
Ndoma-Egba’s remarks offer a sobering reminder that until the commission’s systems are simplified, its leadership stabilized, and its master plan revived, the NDDC will remain a development dream deferred.
Ndoma-Egba exposes 62-step payment process, deep corruption at NDDC
![]()
metro
27-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Kills Newborn Hours After Giving Birth in Abuja
27-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Kills Newborn Hours After Giving Birth in Abuja
A 27-year-old woman, identified as Precious Yohana, has been arrested by the FCT Police Command over the alleged killing of her newborn baby in Abuja.
The woman was reportedly taken into police custody after the newborn died only hours after she gave birth.
The circumstances surrounding the baby’s death remain under investigation, as detectives work to establish what happened between the time of the delivery and the reported death of the child.
READ ALSO:
- MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students
- Israeli Forces Reportedly Destroy School, Burn Homes in Southern Lebanon
- Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027
The case has raised concerns because of the short interval between the childbirth and the death of the newborn. Police investigators are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the baby’s death and determine whether anyone else was involved.
Yohana remains in police custody while the investigation continues. Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigators make progress with the case.
The incident also highlights the importance of immediate maternal and newborn care after childbirth, particularly where a mother or baby may require urgent medical, psychological or social support.
The police have not concluded the investigation, and the allegation against the suspect has yet to be established in court.
27-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Kills Newborn Hours After Giving Birth in Abuja
![]()
metro
Tragedy Strikes FMC: Medical Director Loses Two Daughters—A Doctor and a Pharmacist—Within 48 Hours
Tragedy Strikes FMC: Medical Director Loses Two Daughters—A Doctor and a Pharmacist—Within 48 Hours
NGURU, YOBE STATE — The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Nguru and the entire medical community in Yobe State have been thrown into deep mourning following the heartbreaking loss of two young medical professionals, who were both daughters of the hospital’s Medical Director, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman.
The deceased, Dr. Hadiya Usman Abdullahi, a medical doctor, and Dr. Aidah Usman Abdullahi, a pharmacist, died within 48 hours of each other in a tragedy linked to sickle cell disease. Both sisters were in their twenties.
According to family sources and colleagues who spoke to NewsTrends, the tragic chain of events began on Friday, October 2, 2026, when Dr. Hadiya passed away after a severe sickle cell crisis. She had been admitted to FMC Nguru for about a week before her death.
Dr. Hadiya, who was undergoing her internship at FMC Nguru, was buried the same day according to Islamic rites at the Emir’s Palace in Nguru.
READ ALSO:
- Transporters Urge IGP Disu to Arrest Illegal Highway Tax Collectors
- Army, DSS, Amotekun Kill ISWAP Commander Planning Attacks in Southern Nigeria
- 2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA
The family had barely begun to grapple with that loss when tragedy struck again on Sunday, October 4. Dr. Aidah, a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), who was also reportedly pregnant, had been receiving treatment at UMTH. She had reportedly recovered and was discharged in time to attend her sister’s burial.
However, after visiting Hadiya’s grave, Aidah suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The news was made public by Fatima Kagu, a microbiologist, who announced on October 4, 2026, that the FMC Nguru Medical Director had lost two daughters. Kagu offered prayers for the repose of the sisters’ souls and for strength for their mother.
A Community in Shock
The loss of the two young women—one a doctor and the other a pharmacist—has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Yobe State and beyond. Colleagues described the deceased as brilliant, dedicated, and full of promise.
“This is a devastating loss, not just for the family, but for the entire health sector. To lose two young professionals who were already contributing to the system is a huge blow,” a senior colleague at FMC Nguru told NewsTrends, requesting anonymity.
The tragedy has also reignited conversations about sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that affects millions of Nigerians. Health advocates in the region have renewed calls for mandatory genotype screening before marriage to reduce the prevalence of the disease.
“This is a painful reminder of why we must continue to advocate for genotype testing. Sickle cell is a preventable tragedy if we make informed choices,” said a public health official in Damaturu.
Burial and Condolences
Both sisters have been buried according to Islamic rites. The medical community in Yobe State has expressed profound grief, with many taking to social media to offer condolences to Professor Usman and her family.
NewsTrends extends its deepest condolences to the family of Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman and the entire FMC Nguru community. May the souls of Dr. Hadiya and Dr. Aidah rest in perfect peace.
Tragedy Strikes FMC: Medical Director Loses Two Daughters—A Doctor and a Pharmacist—Within 48 Hours
![]()
metro
Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland Urges Rabitah 1964 to Regulate ‘Yorubaland’ Islamic Titles
Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland Urges Rabitah 1964 to Regulate ‘Yorubaland’ Islamic Titles
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Fodhilatu Shaykh Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has called on the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland (Rabitah 1964) to establish a unified position on the conferment of Islamic titles and honours bearing the name “Yorubaland.”
Akeugberu made the call in a letter dated Monday, October 5, 2026, addressed to the Chairman and National Executive Council of Rabitah 1964 through the league’s Secretary-General.
In the letter, titled “The Need for Caution Regarding Titles and Honours Conferred in the Name of Yorubaland,” the Grand Chief Imam expressed concern over what he described as the increasing practice by societies, organisations and groups to confer titles associated with Yorubaland without reference to a recognised central Islamic authority.
He said while such conferments might be well-intentioned, their increasing and uncoordinated nature could diminish the significance of established Islamic titles and make it difficult to distinguish genuine scholarship and service from honours that may be too easily conferred.
According to him, a title that carries the name of the entire Yorubaland has implications beyond the organisation or society that awards it and should therefore be treated as a matter of collective interest.
The Grand Chief Imam said the proliferation of such titles without adequate coordination, verification or consultation with recognised Islamic leadership could weaken the meaning attached to them and affect the integrity of Islamic scholarship and service in the region.
READ ALSO:
- Transporters Urge IGP Disu to Arrest Illegal Highway Tax Collectors
- Army, DSS, Amotekun Kill ISWAP Commander Planning Attacks in Southern Nigeria
- 2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA
He urged Rabitah 1964 to consider developing clear principles governing the conferment of titles and honours bearing “Yorubaland”, while leaving the details of the proposed mechanism and the body or process that should administer it to the league’s deliberation.
Akeugberu anchored his appeal on several verses of the Qur’an, including Surah An-Nisa, verse 83, which he said underscores the importance of referring matters of collective consequence to those vested with authority and knowledge.
He quoted the verse:
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
He also cited Surah An-Nahl, verse 116:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَـٰذَا حَلَـٰلٌ وَهَـٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
The letter further quoted Surah Al-Isra, verse 36:
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا
Akeugberu said the verses collectively provide a basis for caution, knowledge, consultation and responsibility when dealing with matters affecting the wider Muslim community.
He maintained that the conferment of titles bearing the name of an entire people, region or Islamic tradition should not be left entirely to individual organisations acting independently.
The Grand Chief Imam therefore urged Rabitah 1964, which he described as the recognised league of Imams and Alfas across Yorubaland, to deliberate on the issue in accordance with the league’s founding statutes and the Islamic principle of Shura, or consultation.
He said a collective framework would help preserve the dignity of Islamic leadership and ensure that titles associated with Yorubaland retain their significance.
Akeugberu also cautioned against making the conferment of honours dependent on sectarian, ideological or jurisprudential differences.
In his concluding remarks, he said deserving Muslim men and women should be recognised without allowing sectarian preferences, ideological affiliations or jurisprudential inclinations to determine who qualifies for such honours.
He expressed confidence that Rabitah 1964 would approach the matter with the seriousness required and develop a position that would protect the sanctity of Islamic titles while promoting unity among Muslims across Yorubaland.
The Grand Chief Imam concluded the letter by praying for continued divine guidance for the national leadership of Rabitah 1964 and success in its service to the Muslim community in Yorubaland.
Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland Urges Rabitah 1964 to Regulate ‘Yorubaland’ Islamic Titles
![]()
-
metro2 days agoNYSC Kidnap: Abductors Demand N950m for 19 Prospective Corps Members in Imo
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Oshiomhole Dares Opposition Over ₦500 Petrol Promise, Says APC Will Take Argument to Nigerians
-
Entertainment3 days agoOlu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos as Dignitaries, Nollywood Stars Honour Screen Icon
-
metro2 days agoAmaechi: Tinubu’s Policies Made My Mother’s Drugs Unaffordable
-
metro1 day ago‘I Thought I Was Dead’ — Hairstylist’s Daring Escape From Kidnappers After Benin-Ore Ambush
-
metro2 days agoN500 Petrol, Wage Award: Public Sector Workers Begin Warning Strike
-
metro2 days agoTension as Kidnappers Threaten to Kill Abducted Oyo Corps Members
-
Politics2 days agoWike to Amaechi: What Did You Bring to Rivers After 24 Years in Power?
