The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Retd.), on Monday urged the Course Participants of the National Defence College, Abuja to make a special case for the Niger Delta region, in terms of funding to tackle the developmental challenges in the area.

Admiral Jonah, who stated this when he received in his office in Government House, Yenagoa the Course 25 Participants of the College, noted that, Bayelsa is a predominantly riverine area endowed with vast natural resources, particularly oil and gas, which requires special funding for development.

Applauding the progress made by the College, the Deputy Governor commended the College for upholding the reforms he had introduced while he was Commandant of the institution and was proud to always identify with the College.

He expressed the hope that, the tour of the state would afford the course participants the opportunity to better appreciate the problems militating against the development of the state and called for an objective representation of the environment, achievements, challenges and cultural heritage of the people.

Admiral Jonah intimated the course participants with some of the achievements of the restoration government, noting that, the state’s economic team would interface with them on the economic policies targeted at the state’s diversification efforts.

The Deputy Governor, who wished the Course Participants successful tour of the state, enjoined them to proffer solutions that could assist the state in actualising its development agenda.

Earlier in his remarks, the team leader of the Course 25 Participants of the National Defence College, Brig. Gen. Martins Enendo, had said the theme of this year’s study tour was, ‘Food Security and National Development: the Role of States,’ and the tour was expected to last for 11 months.

The team leader said agriculture has been identified as one of the key sectors, through which the country could diversify its economy, especially when Nigeria is grappling with the current economic recession.

According to him, participants at the course are drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force as well as personnel from ministries, departments and agencies, including military personnel from friendly foreign nations.

Brig. Gen. Enendo, who said one of the course participants to Bayelsa is a Brazilian, explained that, the College has a total of 16 participants drawn from foreign countries that would be touring various states of the federation to undertake different kinds of study.

•Photo showsBayelsa Deputy Governor John Jonah.