The Chairman of Niger Benue Transport Company (NBTC) Limited, Olorogun Moses Oghenerume Taiga, JP, CON, has called on Urhobo business leaders and other Nigerians to invest more in Urhobo land, saying the region offers significant opportunities for economic growth and development.
Olorogun Taiga made the call on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a historic visit by the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Engr. Mike Orugbo, Okporua I, to the NBTC facility, along NBTC Road, Ovwian Town, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The visit was the first by a reigning monarch to the 69-year-old company, which has been described as Nigeria’s oldest marine company.
The Udu monarch, who commended NBTC for its longstanding contributions to the kingdom and its host communities, rated the company among the best corporate citizens in the country and called for continued cooperation and support for its operations.
Speaking during the visit, Olorogun Taiga, who is the major owner and core investor in NBTC, urged Urhobo personalities to emulate his decision to invest in their homeland and take advantage of the economic opportunities available in the region.
He said his personal investment in the company dates back to 1996 and that he remained committed to its survival despite the difficult periods it had experienced over the years.
“I am committed to the continued existence of the company, which is 69 years old,” he said.
According to him, NBTC started by transporting cotton from Cameroon for export before expanding into services for the oil industry and other marine-related activities, including the manufacture of badges and tugboats, as well as boat building through its subsidiaries.
“It is a good company, and as an Urhobo man I am committed to it. Even in rough times, when we were not making money, I cannot abandon it,” he said.
Asked whether the company had received support or partnership from government, the Adjerese of Urhobo land said NBTC had remained essentially a private investment and had not depended on government for its operations.
“It is a private investment, so we don’t anticipate anything from the Government. So, we’ve never bothered to worry the government for anything, but we are open to ideas,” he said.
He added that NBTC would be willing to participate in government initiatives where its expertise could be useful.
“If the Federal or State Government want us to participate in any activity, we are the oldest marine company in Nigeria; we are open,” he said.
On the challenges confronting the company, Olorogun Taiga said NBTC faced some of the peculiar difficulties associated with operating in the Niger Delta’s riverine environment.
“For example, we are far away from Lagos, traversing around the shallow rivers that we have, crossing through Koko to Escravos and the rest of it. Those are the challenges, but we try to overcome them,” he said.
Olorogun Taiga also highlighted NBTC’s continued presence in Ovwian despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of several major oil companies from the region.
“Despite the COVID saga, despite the departure of most of the major oil companies, come rain, come shine, we continued to support the company, and employed Urhobo sons and daughters,” he said.
He said NBTC had also maintained cordial relations with its host communities through various forms of support.
“We have been good neighbours to our hosts, our landlords, building hall, participating in their festivals and sustaining the elders and citizens of the Udu and larger Udu Community,” he added.
Speaking during the visit, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Engr. Mike Orugbo, Okporua I, commended NBTC for what he described as its remarkable record of corporate social responsibility and commitment to the Udu Kingdom.
Describing NBTC as one of the best Corporate Citizens in the country, the Monarch said:
“For all the years they’ve been in operation, there is nothing they’ve not done to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the kingdom in the area of corporate social responsibility. I rate them very high,” the monarch said.
He urged other Urhobo sons and daughters to follow the example of Olorogun Taiga by investing in their homeland.
The monarch specifically praised Taiga for returning from Lagos to invest in Urhobo land, saying greater investment by Urhobo people in the region would strengthen the economic position of the Urhobo Nation.
“I will advise other sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation to emulate Olorogun Moses Taiga, the Adjerese of Urhobo, who has seen it fit to come home from Lagos to invest in Urhobo. And if they copy him, definitely Urhobo will be ahead in the country,” he said.
He noted that Urhobo land was endowed with oil, gas and other economic opportunities that could support greater development if adequately harnessed.
The Udu monarch and his delegation were received by members of the NBTC board, management and staff. The Erhuvwu Royal Cultural Dance, Ovwiana, a female cultural dance troupe, was also on hand to add colour to the historic visit.
Among the NBTC officials present were Olorogun Moses Taiga, JP, CON; the Managing Director, Engr. Dhanasekaran Govindan; Chief Godwin Notoma, Director; and Chief Steve Sokoh, Director.
Others included Olorogun (Prince) Ejiro Arigi, General Manager, Administration and Finance; Engr. Mrs Queen Uche Chigbo, Business Development Manager; Mr Anetor Newton, Chief Accountant; Mr Emoefe Edjere, General Service Manager; Mr Oghenemaro Ashakah, Treasury Manager; Mr Lucky Oromowano, QHSE Manager; and Mrs Fidelia Erokaire, Admin Officer.
The Udu monarch was accompanied by several chiefs, including Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue, Chief Henry Sakpra, Chief Austin Emaduku, Engr. Alex Neyin and High Chief D. S. Oye Onatomre, the Adeh of Udu Kingdom.
The host community, Ovwian, was represented by Comrade Dele Okuku, President-General of Ovwian Community; Deacon Tony Nigu, spokesman of Ovwian Community; Mr Williams Oghi, Secretary of the Elder Council, Ovwian; and Chief Diamond Egbeta, Chairman of the Ovwian Elders Council.