The Niger Delta Development Commission has urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents across the Niger Delta to take collective responsibility for protecting public infrastructure against vandalism and theft.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the call at a Stakeholders’ Forum on Public Infrastructure and Vandalism Prevention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ogbuku, who was represented at the event by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, said the government had a responsibility to provide basic infrastructure, but communities must ensure that such facilities are protected after they are delivered.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Sealed Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku said the destruction of public infrastructure places additional financial pressure on government and slows the pace of development.

He explained that funds that could have been used to provide new infrastructure were often diverted to repair facilities that had already been constructed but were vandalised.

“The aim of the government is to focus on infrastructure, but after building, how do we protect it? Where public infrastructure is vandalised, money meant for new projects is diverted to repair what has been built, thus limiting infrastructure progress.

“Security is an important factor in society. Development strengthens security and security protects development,” he said.

The NDDC boss urged community leaders to regard government-funded projects in their areas as community assets rather than facilities belonging exclusively to the government.

He called for increased awareness among residents to encourage them to protect infrastructure and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

“There is a need to create awareness and educate citizens that projects executed by the government are the property of the community, and they should protect it.

“We should move to building a culture where vandalism becomes socially unacceptable,” Ogbuku said.

He urged residents, traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to take ownership of public infrastructure and work together to prevent vandalism and theft.

Ogbuku also highlighted the need for greater community involvement in protecting roads, bridges, electricity facilities, water projects, schools, healthcare centres and other development projects established across the Niger Delta.

He said protecting such facilities was essential to ensuring that communities continued to benefit from government investments.

Also speaking at the forum, the NDDC Director of Community and Rural Development, Theophilus Alagoa, expressed concern over the destruction of government facilities in communities, noting that in many cases, no one takes responsibility for protecting them.

Alagoa said the forum was aimed at educating residents and stakeholders about the need to safeguard public infrastructure.

“This event was organised to inform and educate everyone that government projects are our property and it is imperative to take care of the investment,” he said.

He warned that vandalising, destroying or stealing government infrastructure constituted a serious crime and an act of economic sabotage.

According to him, vandalism and theft of public facilities not only result in the loss of government resources but also disrupt the delivery of essential services to residents.

He added that deliberate destruction of infrastructure increases the cost of maintaining and replacing facilities, thereby placing additional pressure on public finances.

The event facilitator, Ibiyekaribo Inko-Tariah, said the programme was organised as part of efforts to protect government-funded projects and ensure that critical infrastructure continued to serve the communities for which they were provided.

• The stakeholders’ forum underscored the importance of community participation in protecting public investments and sustaining development projects across the Nigeria.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, have joined dignitaries from across Nigeria at the coronation of King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as the new Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State.

The former President and his wife arrived at the coronation venue in Opobo Town at about 11:15 am on Saturday, September 26, 2026, alongside other prominent guests.

The colourful ceremony has also attracted traditional rulers, political leaders and government officials who gathered to witness the formal installation of the new monarch of the historic kingdom.

Representing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the event is the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu.

Also present are former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Sir Gabriel Toby, and his wife, Dame Christie Toby.

Among the traditional rulers attending the ceremony are the Igwe of Onitsha, King Nnaemeka Obi, and the Olu of Warri, who joined other monarchs and dignitaries at the historic event.

King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja was elected in December 2025 as the new monarch of Opobo Kingdom, following the death of the former occupant of the throne, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.

The late monarch, who also served as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, died in 2025 and was buried in April 2026.

The coronation marks the formal commencement of the reign of King Charles Douglas Jaja as the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Opobo Council of Chiefs, Princewill Dappa, said extensive preparations had been concluded for the coronation.

Dappa disclosed at a news conference in Port Harcourt that several activities had been scheduled as part of the programme leading to the grand coronation.

He said the events were designed to mark what he described as a historic occasion for the people of Opobo Kingdom.

The grand coronation is being held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Opobo Town, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The event has brought together members of the royal family, traditional institutions, government representatives and guests from different parts of the country to celebrate the emergence of the new traditional ruler.

The coronation also formally ushers King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja into the throne following his selection in December 2025 to succeed the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has announced plans to make additional appointments as it continues to expand its national campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The council made this known in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following the release of the first list of officials appointed to the campaign team.

Shaibu said the initial list marked an important step in the organisation of the campaign but stressed that it did not represent the final composition of the council.

“The campaign is still evolving. Consultations are continuing, and further responsibilities will be assigned as the structure expands across the country,” the statement said.

The campaign council also sought to reassure supporters whose names were not included in the initial appointments, saying their contributions and sacrifices over the years had not been overlooked.

Shaibu urged those who might be disappointed by their omission from the first list to remain patient, stressing that there would be further opportunities to participate in the campaign.

“To those who may feel disappointed that their names have not appeared yet, we ask for patience and understanding.

No one should believe that years of commitment and sacrifice have been forgotten,” he said.

“Our strength has always been our people and the relationships built over many years. We must preserve that bond.”

According to the council, the campaign structure will bring together party members, experienced political leaders, professionals, young people and other Nigerians willing to contribute to its activities.

It said plans were also underway to unveil zonal and state campaign structures, additional senior appointments and other layers of organisation extending to wards and polling units across the country.

The development comes two days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar unveiled his Presidential Campaign Council.

Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named chairman of the council, while former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was appointed deputy chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager.

Other prominent figures were also assigned various roles in the campaign structure. Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was named Atiku’s running mate, while Dele Momodu was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.

Former Senator Dino Melaye was also named Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate.

However, the composition of the council generated a reaction from former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, who was listed as a member of the Policy Team.

Moghalu subsequently rejected the appointment, stating that he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before his name was included in the list.

Meanwhile, Shaibu said the campaign council was strengthening its policy architecture to develop practical responses to major national challenges.

He listed the cost of living, food security and agriculture, security, energy and power, job creation, industrialisation, manufacturing, education, healthcare, infrastructure, housing and governance among the areas receiving attention.

The council will also focus on technology and innovation, social protection, natural resources, environmental issues and human capital development.

“​​Nigeria’s challenges are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation.

The objective is to ensure that every major national problem is matched with a serious, practical and implementable policy response capable of improving the everyday lives of Nigerians,” the statement said.

The campaign council described the emerging structure as a “people-driven national campaign” and said it would continue to expand its membership and responsibilities as preparations for the 2027 election progress.

“There is room in this journey for every sincere hand willing to serve,” the statement added.