By Els William
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has joined the Government and people of Bayelsa State, as well as mourners from across the country, in paying final respects to the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described as a committed public servant and advocate of unity and development.
The Board was represented at a series of funeral rites held in Bayelsa State, reflecting its institutional solidarity with the state and recognition of the late deputy governor’s contributions to governance in the Niger Delta. Senator Ewhrudjakpo passed away on 11 December 2025 at the age of 60.
On Thursday, 29 January 2026, a high-powered delegation of the NCDMB attended the funeral mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Swali Market Road, Yenagoa. The delegation was led by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe (FNSE, FIPS), who was represented by the Director of Projects Certification and Authorisation and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Austin Uzoka.
Other members of the delegation included the General Manager, Capacity Building Division, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile; the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi; and the Deputy Manager, Government Relations, Mr. Teddy Bai.
The following day, Friday, 30 January 2026, another NCDMB delegation joined Bayelsans and other Nigerians at a Requiem Mass in honour of the late deputy governor held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. That delegation was led on behalf of the Executive Secretary by Barr. Kikile.
Also present were the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu; the Zonal Coordinator, Delta–Edo, Engr. James Eyetigha; Mr. Bai; and other officials of the Board.
The participation of the NCDMB at both ceremonies highlighted the Board’s close working relationship with Bayelsa State, a strategic hub in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and a key stakeholder in the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy. Bayelsa hosts major petroleum assets and communities central to the Board’s mandate of deepening indigenous participation, building local capacity, and ensuring sustainable development in host communities.
Tributes at the funeral described Senator Ewhrudjakpo as a disciplined administrator, respected statesman, and bridge-builder who brought intellectual depth and calm resolve to public office. He was widely acknowledged for his commitment to the unity and progress of Bayelsa State. The NCDMB delegation conveyed the Board’s condolences to the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Government and people of Bayelsa State, and the Catholic community, while praying for the peaceful repose of the late deputy governor’s soul