The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced a significant investment in legal studies in the region, recognising the critical role advocacy plays in highlighting the challenges confronting Niger Delta, with a view to proffer solutions.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, at the opening ceremony of this year’s Moot and Mock Trial Competition for Law Faculties in universities within the region, emphasised the importance of legal education in addressing the region’s development challenges.

Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye, the NDDC chief noted that the competition is part of the commission’s intervention programmes aimed at supporting education in the region.

He described the 2024 edition of the competition as highly impactful, showcasing bright advocacy skills among the next generation of legal professionals.

Ogbuku pointed out that by investing in legal studies, the commission aims to empower law students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the complex challenges facing the region.

“It is that same mindset that drives our support for the competition, as we believe that legal advocacy can play a significant role in highlighting the challenges confronting the Niger Delta region and proffer creative solutions to the challenges.

He enjoined participants to engage in constructive and intellectually stimulating arguments that highlight peculiarities of the region, proffer solutions that would aid future lawmaking, and ultimately facilitate the even, rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

NDDC’s Acting Director, Legal Services, Victor Arenyeka, emphasised the importance of moot court and mock trial competitions in legal education. Arenyeka said the competition is designed to simulate legal issues relevant to the Niger Delta region, such as environmental law, oil and gas, and sustainable development.

Arenyeka also noted that the success of last year’s competition, which was adjudged as one of the best moot court competitions in the country, has led to increased participation and interest in this year’s event.