By Bashir Adefaka
“We commend our daughter for the prodigious energy, sharp intellect and unstinted loyalty which she displayed in her present position as Special Adviser to the President on Social Media”
What appears to be a reversal of proverbial narrative that a prophet is not loved in his own country begins to occur, as Lauretta Onochie, an indisputably energetic Aide of seven years to President Muhammadu Buhari, continues to attract shows of love, solidarity and accolades not only from across Nigeria but, more profoundly, her own immediate country home of Aniocha-Oshimili community.
This is contained in a statement by Aniocha-Oshimili Elders’ Association (Izu Ikei) dated November 28, 2022 and obtained by The DEFENDER on Thursday December 1, 2022.
The association congratulated the Ada Anioma on her appointment as Chairman of the governing Board of all-important Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The elders, in the statement jointly signed by its Acting President, Sir Prince Clement Okonjo, JP, and Secretary, Chief Chris O. O. Obiose, commended the Amazon of the President Buhari’s media office for what they described as her prodigious energy, sharp intellect and unstinted loyalty as Special Adviser to the President on Social Media.
They also seized the opportunity afforded them by the statement to thank the President for the gesture of appointing her to position through which she can positively impact the lives of her oil rich people.
“We, the Elders, on behalf of the entire people of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South Local Government Areas of Delta State, hereby heartily congratulate our worthy daughter, Mrs.Lauretta Onochie, on her well deserved nomination as substantive Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,
“We commend our daughter for the prodigious energy, sharp intellect and unstinted loyalty which she displayed in her present position as Special Adviser to the President on Social Media.
“We thank Mr.President most sincerely for judiciously exercising the powers conferred on him under Section 2 (2)(a) of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Act,2000, and respectfully urge the Distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to expeditiously perform their constitutional role by confirming the nominations for the Board of the NDDC made by Mr. President so that this important interventionist agency can start working in earnest for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
“As a true daughter of Anioma, we wish to assure all stake holders and communities in the Niger Delta and indeed the entire citizens of Nigeria that Mrs. Lauretta Onochie will bring to bear on her new assignment, the fundamental value ideal of Anioma people-trustworthiness, truthfulness, honour, diligence, valour and personal integrity.
“We are therefore very confident that if confirmed as substantive chairman of the NDDC by the Senate, Mrs. Onochie will bring her sterling qualities and passion for excellence to institute a new dawn of probity, stern discipline, transparency and dedicated service in the NDDC,” the Aniocha-Oshimili elders said.