President Bola Tinubu is currently engaged in a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. The meeting commenced at 4:15 p.m. with the arrival of President Tinubu and is expected to address critical issues pertinent to the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
PANDEF, established by the late elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, serves as the voice of traditional rulers, leaders, and stakeholders from the Niger Delta. At the onset of the meeting, President Tinubu requested a minute of silence in honor of Chief Clark, who passed away in February.
The PANDEF delegation is led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Other notable attendees include Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF; Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozakhome; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru; and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.
Following the meeting with President Tinubu, the PANDEF leaders are scheduled to meet later in the afternoon with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and National Assembly members from the South-South region. These discussions aim to further address the interests and development of the Niger Delta area.
The outcomes of these meetings are anticipated to influence policies and initiatives targeting the advancement and stability of the Niger Delta region.
