EGCDF SUSTAINS PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP:

Joseph Wuruyal Calls for Stakeholders Support for New Exco

The Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation EGCDF on Wednesday inaugurated its 5th Executive Council headed by Chief Joseph Wuruyai and twelve other officers to pilot the affairs of the Ijaw Regional Development Council for the next four years.

At the inauguration and annual general meeting of EGCDF, the immediate past Chairman of the Foundation, Comrade Jude Ebitimi Ukori called on all stakeholders from the two Ijaw Kingdoms to support his successor to enable him deliver on the Foundation's core mandate of transforming Egbema and Gbaramatu  communities through its people oriented projects.

Correspondent reports that the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa commended the Foundation for complementing the State Government's efforts at developing the State.

    

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba told the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu communities that the Delta State Government was proud of the development strides of EGCDF.

The Govenor applauded the EGCDF leadership for the peaceful transition of power, as well as for the prudent use of the funds provided by Chevron Nigeria Limited to fast track the much needed development in the area.

For his part, the immediate past Chairman of Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Comrade Jude Ukori, who started his address with a song, said the journey began in April 2017 amidst great expectations in the face of scarce resources and the COVID-19 pandemic, but ended in grand style with projects to show in the two Ijaw Kingdoms.

Comrade Ukori named some of the achievements of his Adminstration, including the execution and commissioning of infrastructural projects, skills acquisition training,  disbursement of foreign and national scholarships to indigenes of the two Ijaw Kingdoms, employment opportunities, ensuring the sustenance of peace in the areas, amongst others.

Comrade Jude Ukori noted that the event coincided with the EGCDF's 11th AGM, adding that the AGM was in line with the RDC's core values of accountability, transparency, integrity and reliability in rendering stewardship to the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms.

The immediate past secretary of the Foundation, Comrade Sheriff Mulade earlier emphasized that EGCDF was committed to making a positive difference in the two Ijaw Kingdoms through the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU.

In a good will message, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, represented by Mr. Sam Daibo said Chevron was happy to witness a peaceful transition of leadership in EGCDF.

In their separate remarks,  representatives of Egbema and communities called on Chevron Nigeria Limited, EGCDF's major sponsor, to increase its funds so as to enable the Foundation meet more development needs in the area.

The newly inaugurated Chairman of EGCDF, Chief Joseph Wuruyal who spoke on behalf of EGCDF's new Exco, noted that the Foundation would collaborate with relevant agencies, international donors, and government parastatals to complement Chevron's efforts at supporting the EGCDF to perform well in its development strides. 

The event was climaxed with the presentation of awards of excellence by the Delta State Government to the leadership of EGCDF, oath taking by the new executive, as well as the presentation of handover notes to the new Executive.