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Ibanga Bassey Etang, the NDDC Niger Delta Development Commission Executive Director of Finance and Administration is dead.
His death is coming amidst the probe of the Commission.
Chief Ibanga Bassey Etang is said to have died at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), in Port Harcourt after he allegedly took ill and gasping for breath at about 2am, Thursday before being rushed to the health facility.
According to an insider source prevy to the development, the cause of death is yet to be determined.
Ibanga Bassey Etang body has been moved to the holding area, called ‘COVID Area’ at the hospital, with the intention of taking his samples for a coronavirus test.
This development is said to have occured following a directive from Abuja, with a view to testing and finding out the true cause of death.
Ibanga Bassey Etang’s Death: NDDC Shuts Down Headquarters
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has suddenly shut down its headquarters for two weeks after the death of Ibanga Bassey Etang, the acting executive director of finance.
There are fears that he might have contracted the coronavirus.
Silas Anyawu, who signed the memo shutting down the office on behalf of the management, wrote: “I am directed to inform all staff that management has approved that the commission be shut down for two weeks from today 28 May 2020.
“Consequently, all activities in the commission including ongoing matters are hereby shut down for the time being.
“Members of staff are to ensure that all electrical appliances in their offices are switched off before leaving the premises.
“The head security is by this memo directed to work out modalities to ensure the safety and security of the commission while director, the administration is requested to fumigate and decontaminate the entire offices and premises in the Headquarters during the period.
“Meanwhile staff are enjoined to go into self-isolation for two weeks as they await further directive from Management.”
The director’s death is coming during the forensic audit of the commission’s activities as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In October 2019, the president that the commission’s activities from 2001 to 2019 should be probed.
On Wednesday, the senate set up an ad hoc committee to probe the interim management committee of the NDDC over alleged mismanagement of N40 billion.
PROFILE OF Ibanga Bassey Etang
Hon. Ibanga Bassey Etang is the current Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission. He is an independent-minded leader with a team spirit.
He holds a B.Sc in Banking and Finance with 2nd Class Honours from the University of Cross River State (Now University of Uyo), and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the State University of New Jersey, United State of America.
In a career that has spanned over three decades, crisscrossing finance,construction, oil and gas, and the public sector;he continues to distinguish himself as a thorough bred professional committed to excellence, integrity and inclusiveness. He has worked in various capacities with different organizations including the Ogun State Ministry of Finance, 1991-1992, Roseat Insurance Brokers, 1996 – 1998, and Daewoo Nigeria Limited, 2001 to 2004. etc.
From 1989-2000, he was elected Deputy President-General, Uyu Eta Esit Eket and served as the President-General of Afigh Iwaad Eked from 2007- 2009.
As a keen actor in the political space, he was called to serve as a member of the Esit Eket Local Government Transition Committee from June 2007 – June 2008; this was to lead to a much higher calling in public service when he was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Project Monitoring and Supervision, a role he played from April 2009 to March 2012.
Hon. Ibanga being a man not given to half measures, when called, volunteered himself to the people of Esit Eket, and was elected to serve as the Executive Chairman from July 2012 to July 2015.
During his tenure, he was instrumental to the development and urbanization of Esit Eket Local Government Area, with many legacy projects as testimonials to his astute managerial and administrative acumen. A goldfish has no hiding place, Hon. Ibanga’s efficiency, dexterity, maturity and excellence in public service was recognized yet again, as he was called upon to replicate his many successes as Special Assistant to the Governor on Project Monitoring and Supervision from December 2015 to April 2018.
Recognized as a passionate learner, Hon. Ibanga has committed countless hours and resources to his academic, professional and personal development, with many achievements and records to show. In the last few years, he has attended well over 40 different courses at home and abroad, including an International Advance Training Program at the prestigious London Corporate Training, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom.
His values are strongly shaped by his upbringing in a Christian home, his humble beginning, a sense of responsibility and a generous disposition to the sufferings of others; while a private person by nature, as a community leader, Hon. Ibanga mingles easily with people from all backgrounds and affiliations. He is a charismatic leader who leads by example. He is known for being unafraid to speak and hear hard truths when necessary. He is a member of several professional bodies, a recipient of many awards and recognitions for his numerous contributions to the service of God and humanity. He is happily married and the union is blessed with children.
