NDDC MD Visits Bonny Island, Announces Plans to Immortalize Harold Dappa Biriye at 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will immortalize Nigeria’s celebrated nationalist, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, at its 25th anniversary celebration as a way of recognizing and appreciating his invaluable contributions to the creation of the Commission.

Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku said this on Friday, July 4, 2025 when he led a delegation of the NDDC’s management on a courtesy to the King Perekule Palace in Bonny, Rivers State.

He stated that the Commission was in Bonny to seek the consent of the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC) to immortalize Chief Biriye being an illustrious Ibani son who fought strenuously for the mainstreaming of Ijaw interests, aside his nationalist activism.

He noted that the various development projects spread across the Niger Delta region executed by the NDDC would not have been possible without the actualization of his vision for the Commission to be established, adding that he remains a shining light of advocacy for the people of the region.

Responding on behalf of the Bonny Chiefs Council, its Chairman, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox thanked the NDDC for its decision to immortalize one of Bonny Kingdom’s illustrious sons.

He noted that his contributions to the birth of the Nigerian nation, creation of the NDDC and fight for minority rights remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s journey from colonialism to nationhood.

Born on Sunday, September 26, 1920, to Rowland and Rebecca Wilcox of Peterside in present day Bonny LGA, Harold Jenewari Dappa-Biriye fought alongside other nationalists for the independence of Nigeria.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate had on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 asked the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, retain the name: Harold Dappa Biriye House in the New Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) permanent headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  

In its resolution after deliberating on a motion brought before it by the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Henry Dickson, the Senate urged the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to immediately direct and ensure the retention of the name on Commission’s permanent headquarters located along Eastern Bypass in Port Harcourt.