Re: Formation of NDDC Board Not Part Of My Responsibilities

My attention has been drawn to sponsored write ups in the media, claiming that I passed the buck on my responsibility for the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.

 

The write ups deliberately published while I am outside the country on national duty, reportedly quoted my media aide, Jackson Udom, claiming that I have denied responsibility for the constitution of the board of the Commission. I have checked with Mr Udom, and he has clearly said he was misquoted.

 

While I am not shocked by the mischief inherent in the publication, I am alarmed at the extent of falsehood the writers went in pushing their anti- Niger Delta agenda, to scuttle the due consideration of the report of the Forensic Audit by stampeding the government. More alarming is the attempt to drag the hallowed name of our president into this plot.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, Mr President has set out to reposition the NDDC after 19 years of rot saw to the undermining of the dreams of the fathers of the region, to fast track its development through the setting up of an interventionist agency.

 

Part of the strategy was a forensic audit to understand what went wrong, despite the resources committed to the Commission over the years.

 

The report of that audit has just been submitted to Mr President, who is studying it to come up with a formula for a commission fit for purpose. That formula is what the board being put together will work with.

 

It is not in the interest of the region to stampede the government into aborting the reform process. The President has demonstrated immense love for the Niger Delta and its people. This is reflected in the support he has given to the NDDC to complete some of the projects abandoned over the years, like the headquarters complex in Port Harcourt, the Students' Hostel at Uyo,  and the electrification project in Ondo State.

 

The President wants to give to the region an interventionist agency that will realize the dreams of our fathers for our people and generations yet unborn.

 

The greatest disservice we can do to the region is to attempt to stampede him, through ingeniously crafted media campaigns.

 

I am irrevocably committed to assisting Mr President to leave behind a legacy for the Niger Delta people, particularly, saving the NDDC from dying like past developmental agencies put together for the region since 1958.

 

 

Senator Godswill Obot  Akpabio CON

Honorable Minister

Niger Delta Affairs

What makes Afrozons Dubai Sound off authentically captivating and irresistible

As the global Dubai Expo 2020 kick starts, there lines a number of tourist side attractions designed to add world-class tourism flavour to the event. One of such prominent world class tourism side attractions, is the Afrozons Dubai Sound off which has more Countries Join the March 2022 trip, as it gains global attention.

It is noteworthy that the AFROZONS DUBAI SOUND OFF, a premier, one-of-a-kind, travel experience, courtesy of Dubai Tourism and AfroZons Radio (USA), has gained so much momentum, since its launch on October 1^st, 2021. News about the Sound off has travelled far and wide, covering all corners of the globe. Celebrity radio hosts from the USA, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Angola have been projecting the Sound off on their shows.

Projections show that over 1500 Afrobeat fans will partake in this project, purchase packages and join in on the fun. This means that Celebrity Radio Hosts and International Afrobeats Artistes will join over 1500 of their fans to witness guided tours of Dubai, experience EXPO 2020 and have a never done before Afrobeats party in the desert. These amongst other activities would build the 6 nights Afrobeat Dubai Sound off experience.

The official website for this event is www.afrozonsdxb.com. The website hosts further information on the travel packages and how to stand a chance to win a giveaway. The winners of the giveaways will receive flight tickets, hotel accommodation, tours, airport transfers, and visa’s (where necessary).

The global acceptance of the Sound off has motivated Afrobeat fans and travel agencies from other parts of the world to push for participation in the Sound off. Two countries, Uganda and Zimbabwe are launching their entry to the Sound off family, today, 1^st November 2021, while other countries are being

considered to follow shortly.

SalimAli Mohamed Dahman, Senior Manager Campaigns of Dubai Corporation for

Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Hosts of the Soundoff, said: “It is a privilege for Dubai Tourism to afford this opportunity to lovers of Afrobeat music worldwide. Afrobeat is now a global brand, the fastest growing music genre out there, and so it's a good marriage for the best destination in the world, Dubai, to also give Afrobeat its due. The trip promises to be a great experience, showcasing so much more fun in Dubai, a new series of adventures, a desert safari party, and Expo 2020, that can only truly be experienced, in person. 

“We launched the Afrozons Dubai soundoff on Oct 1st with Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, USA, and Angola. Overwhelming success has prompted us to add Uganda, Zimbabwe, and it looks like the United Kingdom is next on our list. It’s great to see the enthusiasm that has already been generated and we haven’t even announced the Afrobeat artist that will be joining us yet. Stay tuned, it promises to be an amazing event.”

The AfroZons show is the first-ever Afrobeats show on a major US radio FM network. AfroZons, is the hottest weekly US nationally syndicated radio show created by Sheila O.

Media Mogul, Sheila O, every week, covers the latest trends and new music throughout the African Diaspora, including Hip-Hop. The number one place in Afrobeats to hear the latest conversations about the hottest topics from celebrities, influencers, tastemakers, world leaders, and more is AfroZons! AfroZons is here to bridge the social and cultural gap between Africans, African Americans, and all the people of the African Diaspora.

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate.

Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development, and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

           

Hashtags: #afrozonsdxb #visitdubai #rivexcel #dubaitourism