Re: Misleading Claims of Ethnic Exclusion in NCDMB Programme
Issued by Stakeholders for Equity in the Niger Delta (SfEiND)
A Dangerous Narrative Cloaked in Falsehood
We, the undersigned stakeholders and advocates for equity in the Niger Delta, known as 'Stakeholders for Equity in the Niger Delta (SfEIND)', issue this Press Statement in response to the calculated set of Press Statements, titled "IYC Demands Sack of NCDMB Executive Secretary Ogbe Over Nepotism, Bias" by Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), on the 14th August 2025 Edition of the Congress News Newspaper, signed by the trio of Comrade Nicholas Igarama – Chairman, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary and Comrade Tare Magbei – Information Officer, outrageously indicting the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe over poor performance and abuse of power and sequelled to another Press Statement titled “N’Delta Ex-Agitators protest exclusion from NCDMB programme” as published in the 15th August 2025 Edition of Punch Newspaper by The Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Third Phase, Presidential Amnesty Programme, falsely claiming and harping allegations of non-inclusion in the capacity building activities organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) orchestrated and led by one ‘General’ Preye Ekpebide, are not only misleading but a deliberate and malicious distortion of facts designed to incite ethnic tension and preserve a long-standing monopoly of the Ijaw ethnic nationality over Federal Government interventions, of the NCDMB.
These are not a protests for justice but cauldron of egocentric, insensitive and absurd protests to intimidate and harass the leadership of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe FNSE, Executive Secretary of NCDMB whose administration has insisted on equitable distribution of the Federal Government Interventions to all Nigerians as enshrined in the Mandate of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 (NOGICD, 2010) as against the evident predominance of the Ijaw ethnic nationality over and above the rest of country and especially to Nigeria citizens and that of Niger Delta region, in alarmingly disproportionate terms and references, as though the ‘Local Content’ Act as it’s fondly called infers Ijaw Communities in the Nigeria State instead of Nigerian Communities in the comity of Nations of the International Communities. Indeed this feat of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe FNSE, in his little above 2 years in office has resoundingly and unprecedentedly performed exceeding the benchmarks atteacting international, national, regional and local applause, commendations and appointment as Member of the Board of African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), wooing of several Petroleum Producing African countries and international institutions for collaboration and partnership including sustaining the Award winning posture of NCDMB, especially, The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) which has consistently recognised the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its strong performance in business efficiency and transparency. Where specifically, NCDMB has held the top position in PEBEC's rankings for 30 consecutive months, a testament to its commitment to these areas.
It is worthy of note that during the commencement of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe FNSE, in the 2024 Half Year Transparency and Efficiency Compliance Report, NCDMB scored 71.6% in Efficiency Compliance and 100% in Transparency Assessment, resulting in an overall Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Performance score of 80.1%. How could anyone, without an ulterior motive of inimical strain indict such a towering Colossus with decades of Industry experience, expertise, and empathy for host communities - talk more of calling for his removal from office, not be vehemently resisted by meaning citizen.
The Truth: Ijaw Ethnic Dominance in NCDMB and other Regionally Situated Federal Intervention Programme
Let us be unequivocal: the Ijaw ethnic nationality has been the primary and disproportionate beneficiary of Niger Delta regionally situated Federal Government Intervention programme in for over a decade. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), and other interventionist agencies, in this context, have historically skewed their programme in favour of Ijaw communities, outrageously and selfishly marginalising other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region and other regions of the Nigerian Geopolitical configuration.
Evidence of Preferential Access
NCDMB Training Programme: Data from the Board’s official records show that over 60% of beneficiaries in technical training - welding, fabrication, ICT, marine operations, etc., are from Ijaw communities. In some years, the figure has reached as high as 75%. The records are glaringly and absurdly clear as the noonday.
Intervention Funds: More than 10 indigenous firms, many with Ijaw ownership or leadership, have accessed the $360 million intervention fund meant to support oil and gas logistics. This fund was designed to empower all Niger Delta and Nigerian entrepreneurs with the value chain of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry to assume and attain in-country quantum capacity, yet the distribution has been alarmingly lopsided, in favour of the Ijaws of Nigeria
Presidential Amnesty Programme Allocations: Warri South-West LGA, which have faced contentious population census summersault by Ijaw interests, has received a bias number of PAP slots, scholarships, and reintegration packages, without a conscientious recourse to the Itsekiris and other non-indigenous Nigerians who have resided there for as long as history can reckon. Meanwhile, communities like Ilaje, Ndokwa, and Ogoni have been left behind, despite suffering equal or greater environmental degradation and economic marginalization, all because sons and daughters of Ijaw extractions have been privileged to serve as the heads of such institutions.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Ethnic Capture
The Niger Delta was meant to be a region of shared struggle and collective healing. Instead, it has become a theatre of ethnic capture, where one group’s dominance is masked as victimhood.
NDDC Scholarships: While the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was created to serve all ethnicities in the region, internal audits have revealed that over 50% of foreign scholarship awards between 2015 and 2022 went to Ijaw applicants, the records are there as monuments of international embarrassment
Pipeline Surveillance Contracts: The Federal Government’s multi-billion-naira pipeline surveillance contracts have been monopolized by firms like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, whose leadership is deeply entrenched in Ijaw power structures, while other Pipeline Surveillance are merely visible for viable operations. This has excluded other capable ethnic groups from participating in the region’s security, critical Oil and Gas Infrastructure economic ecosystem.
The Protest: A Reaction to Inclusion, Not Exclusion
The protest aimed at Engr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, is not rooted in truth - it is a backlash against his efforts to democratize access to the contextual Federal Government Intervention programme, under his purview and leadership, witnessing NCDMB making deliberate efforts to include historically marginalized over 250 ethnic groups such as: Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa, Ogoni, Ibibio, Ilaje, Efik, etc.
These communities have long been denied access to training, funding, and employment opportunities. Their inclusion is not a threat, it is a long-overdue correction of the lopsided implementation of the NOGICD Act, 2010.
To label this inclusive approach as an “Itsekiri-only agenda” is not just dishonest, it is dangerous and weaponizes ethnic identity to maintain a status quo of inequality.
Voices of Truth: Quotes That Resonate
“You cannot cry marginalisation when you’ve been the gatekeeper of Federal Government largesse, in this context”. Nigerians should applaud Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe for insisting that “Inclusivity isn’t oppression - it’s overdue correction.”
Nigerians should man up to call up “The Ijaw elite to stop weaponizing protest to maintain ethnic hegemony.”
Nigerian should insist that “Development in the Niger Delta must reflect diversity, not Ijaw dynasty.”
Nigerians should square up their shoulders to demand reiterate that “Justice delayed for other ethnic groups is justice denied.”
The Emotional Toll: What This Means for Other Ethnicities
For decades, non-Ijaw communities have watched Federal Government Intervention programme bypass their youths, their entrepreneurs, and their leaders. The emotional toll is staggering:
Ilaje Youths trained in Marine Engineering have been denied placements while their Ijaw counterparts are flown abroad.
Ogoni Communities, ravaged by oil spills, have received token gestures while others enjoy full reintegration packages – with the toll on the environmental disasters threatening their wellbeing Ndokwa and Isoko entrepreneurs have been excluded from intervention funds despite meeting all eligibility criteria.
This is not just inequality - it is institutionalised neglect and systemic malady and now, when steps are finally being taken to correct these injustices, the beneficiaries of past favouritism and nepotism are crying foul.
The Way Forward: Equity, Not Ethnic Monopoly
We call on all Nigerian and Niger Delta Stakeholders - Traditional Rulers, Youth Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, Local Government, States and Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), to reject this divisive rhetoric. The future of the Niger Delta must be built on:
Equity: Every Ethnic Group must have equal access to opportunities.
Transparency: Programme allocations must be published and audited.
Accountability: Agencies must be held responsible for ethnic bias.
Unity: The region must speak with one voice against injustice - no matter who the perpetrator is or are
A Call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly
We urge President Tinubu and the National Assembly Committees on Oil and Gas to: Investigate the Ethnic Distribution of NCDMB, PAP, and NDDC Intervention programme over the last 10 years Mandate inclusive policies that reflect the multi-ethnic reality of the Niger Delta and all other regions, for that matter Protect Reformers like Engr. Felix Ogbe from politically motivated attacks and pollical endgame
Final Word: This Is Bigger Than NCDMB
This is not just about one agency. It is about the soul of the Niger Delta, and all other regions. It is about whether justice will be shared or hoarded?
It is about whether we will allow a single ethnic group to weaponize suffering and salvation.
We will not be silent. We will not be sidelined. We will not allow history to repeat itself under the guise of protest.
Let this be the moment when the Niger Delta rises, not in division, but in unity. Not in entitlement, but in equity. Not in silence, but in truth.
Signed
Executive Council of Stakeholders for Equity in the Niger Delta (SfEIND)
Oritsejuemikoma Kelly Nanna
Lead Coordinator
Matthew Ene-Kalio
Scribe
Buwa Faith Owumi
Policy and Legislative Relations
Lily-white Esigbone
Citizens Engagement Relations
Akuirene Oritsegbegbemi Ramota
Gender Affairs
Osandatunwa Oritsematosan Priscilla
Boy Child and Girl Child Affairs
Kiap Blessing
International Relations
Omagene Joy
Domestic Relations
Comr. Toritseju Joseph Ogharandukun
Sustainable Development Facilitator
Barry Eboma
Senior Citizens Relations
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
Sponsored Ad
Our strategic editorial policy of promoting journalism, anchored on the tripod of originality, speed and efficiency, would be further enhanced with your financial support.
Your kind contribution, to our desire to become a big global brand, should be credited to our account:
Fresh Angle Nig. Ltd
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0130931842.
BANK GTB.
×