A former petroleum minister, Dr Edmund Daukoru has hailed the appointment of Mr Maxwell Oko, as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, saying he can vouch for his capacity, integrity and capacity to deliver on his new job.
Oko, a former chairman, central zone of the Ijaw Youths Counci, IYC, served Daukoru as Special Assistant. He was among those who spearheaded the move for the famous Kaiama Declaration and has since been involved in the Niger Delta struggle.
In the interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Daukoru said his appointment was commendable and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for identifying and giving him the opportunity to serve in the NDDC, noting “he is a round peg in a round hole.
“Maxwell is very committed to his work and duties. He served under me as my SA. He took over from Sylva. It was just revealing to see how much Maxwell parked into his brain. He is very committed, principled, disciplined person and it is just the kind of appointment that we anticipate.”
He said with Oko’s experience in managing youths related issues and having been involved in various development issues in the Niger Delta, he was confident that his former aide would perform.
“Dealing with communities is not an easy affair, especially because resources are always limited. He has the qualities to work with the MD, whoever he is to deliver. He has all the qualities needed to do the work.
“He is a disciplined person, he understands priorities. When I say he is disciplined, I’m saying it based on what I know about him. He never accepted gratifications from people who tried to see me desperately, people who would want to try to break roadblocks to see the minister. Maxwell wasn’t like that. I never saw any fault in him.
“I can vouch for him. In terms of doing the job, I have full confidence that he will not let the authorities down. I am extremely proud of him. As an elder and a king, I pray for him to succeed.”
Before now, he was a commissioner in Bayelsa State. He is currently the executive vice Chairman of Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, an indigenous conglomerate with diverse interests in the Nigerian economy, spanning across several industries such as power, oil and gas, security, agri-business, infrastructural development and real estate.