To bring development closer to the Niger Delta and to calm nerves, the Federal Government set up the Intervention vehicle, the NDDC
Ever since its establishment, there have been varying responses to its activities
While some feel they have been meeting their set objectives, leading to the rash of establishing such vehicles in other parts of the country, a lot more people feel that the institution has perfected symbolism as its prime feature
Observers point to all sorts of projects that appear self-serving, opportunistic and showy without any fundamental bearing to the lives of the harried people of the oil-rich region
A brief look at the inner workings of the institution would throw up a personification of power, institutionalisation of incompetence, a cult-like adherence to power and a dearth of Corporate governance, according to close watchers of this very obtuse institution
Things are done anyhow – an insider fearful for his job laments.
Please don’t quote me, he begs, but things are done any how here and people are afraid
I was not shocked by this statement cos this seems to be the ethos of most of our institutions, both public and private
I listened, waved it off and continued with my day’s activity
Then I got a call. Duke, you must say something abt NDDC, and I say aghhhh pls leave me alone with these people o
He continues, please, I took the Scholarship exam, got 45/50 on the CBT and was not taken
I said aghhh, and he continued – I can send you five other people who have taken this exam and scored an average of 45/50 in this CBT and still failed.
He then proceeded to send me the names, and none truly scored below 43/50 in the CBT
Now the question is, why would someone score so excellently in the CBT now fail so woefully in the oral
‘Sir, I applied for NDDC foreign scholarship this year, and I scored 45/50, and a couple of others scored above 40 – 45 too. We had gone through the Oral interview process as well, but we weren’t awarded the scholarship.
Normally, the CBT exam is 50 and the interview is 50, so the total is 100. For the oral review, you won’t be allowed to see your score; for the CBT, you can actually see your score after the exam.’
This is sad especially if you look at the objectives of the scholarship fund
From a document I have seen, the scheme was set up to boost human capital development in the region, allow its youth to compete anywhere in the world and allow them part icipate in the government’s local content policy
They even went ahead to list the areas they would be taking candidates from Agric, information technology, Law, Environmental Science, AI, Medical Sciences to ,mention a few
Eligibility is also very straightforward. You must come from the region and have at least a first-class or Second Class upper and, you must
Not be more than 40years old
Now i took a quick look at the selection process and saw where the Wuru Wuru was happening
So the document listed 6 steps for selection including applying online, submitting WAEC and degree documents, doing the CBT where u must get a minimum of 70% to have a prayer
But 5 and 6 is where the mago mago would most likely happen
Item 5 says – further shortlisting. What this means can only be imagined as Nigerians
What it means simply is that this is the point where ‘man no man’ dey happen and, this is most likely why, this boy that ran to me would score 45 over 50 year in year out and will never make the mark
The reason is simple. He is being slaughtered on the slab of item 5 leading him to make the very alarming accusation – that they are carrying very rich people and well-connected people’s children and leaving us by the way side.
I remain very reluctant in agreeing with him despite my Nigerianess.
So I quickly forward the assertions to the Commission’s Director HR and Media Spokesman, both of who until this writing three days after, have not responded
If you ask me, I would like for the Commission to agree to an independent audit of all successful candidates since the scheme started so ,we can truly see the calibre of people who have made the shortlist
In an environment where the Federal Government is doing its utmost best to push local content, push educational incentives to challenged areas like the South South, these allegations if true then is very wicked on the part of the leadership of this institution
If true, then the aim of its establishment has been majorly defeated cos culling the best brains in the region and empowering them in this way would lead to the achievement of so many things in the region.
It would immediately bring down tension as it would send a strong signal to the Youths of the region that there is hope.
The empowered youths would come back and contribute very intensely to the development of the region increasing economic opportunities and pushing development.
So using this very critical scheme to play – sa re wa gba – according to these unconfirmed allegations is , like what I had earlier mentioned very wicked and can also be described as playing with fire considering the combustible nature of the region
My plea to the management of the NDDC and its supervising ministry is to look very closely at this scheme with a view to blocking the loopholes if at all and, ensure that it meets the very tenets of its formation
A word is truly enough for the wise
Please send a militant to come and beat me
Thank u
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: June 15, 2026
