The apex Ndoki socio-cultural organization, Ndoki Union has decried lack of critical infrastructure and under-development in Ndoki nation, calling for a collaborative efforts to change the narrative.
Speaking at the Ndoki Summit at Egberu Ndoki, Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, the President-General, Ndoki Union, Rev. Felix Akara thanked stakeholders in Ndoki land for the confidence reposed in Ndoki Union executives, adding that the essence of the summit were to strengthen their bonds, unite themselves, examine their developmental agenda, identify their problems among others.
Dr. Reginald Echika Stanley during his lecture at the event.
The Clergy who lamented that Justice Mamman Nasir-led boundary committee, balkanized Ndoki people into three states (Abia, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom), decried the level of under-development that has followed the action.
He, however, expressed hope that Ndoki nation can make sustainable progress with a well-planned, collaborative efforts from well-meaning Ndoki personalities.
The President-General who also charged politicians from Ndoki land to live up to their responsibilities, urged the people of Ndoki to vote for only politicians whose agenda are to develop Ndoki land and deliver democracy dividends to the people.
In his remark, an Oil and Gas expert, Dr. Reginald Echika Stanley, identified mentorship, education and skills development as key to a sustainable development of the people.
Stanley who charged youths to acquire skills alongside education, maintained that education alone is not enough to solve the challenges of today.
Ndoki youths at the event
He also listed persistence, determination, resourcefulness, integrity, networking and social capital among others as recipes for the development of Ndoki nation.
The billionaire oil magnet advised the people of Ndoki not to get discouraged but be determined, urging them to be creative and add value to whatever they do to earn a living.
In his lecture entitled: ‘Ndoki future: Way forward’, the Bishop of Ukwa Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Manases Chijiokem Okere, regretted that Ndoki land is faced with severe hardship amidst her enormous economic potentials.
He highlighted that Ndoki land is backward compared with other clans, partly because of government neglect, division of Ndoki into three states among others.
Bishop Okere who further lamented that Ndoki lacked functional hospital, electricity, commercial banks, and other critical infrastructure required for development, adding that it accounts for the suffocating hardship in the area.
The cleric call on stakeholders to explore the economic, natural and political potentials in the area to attract sustainable development in the area.
Meanwhile, one of the founding fathers of Ndoki Union and the former Abia state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Tony Nwamuo Esq has expressed optimism that Ndoki nation can be great again with the array of human resources she parades.
In a chat with our reporter, the two-time commissioner in Abia state and the pioneer Financial Secretary of Ndoki Union, identified consultation and synergy as essential elements to unlock the untapped goldmine that would usher in sustainable development in Ndoki land.
The oil magnet who also decried that Ndoki people are in minority in Abia, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, called on stakeholders to sheath their swords, come together with unity of purpose and drive the developmental agenda of Ndoki land.
The Abia-born technocrat appealed for resilience in the face of hardship, calling on federal and state governments of Abia, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states to explore the human, tourism and economic potentials in Ndoki nation for sustainable development.
Dignitaries at the event include, Amb. Desmond Akawor, the Mayor, Ukwa-East LGA, Dame Ngozi Nwagbara (PhD), representative of Sir Marc Wabara, Chairman Ukwa-East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Obinna Nwagbara, different youth bodies, women groups among others.
