By OFONIME UMANAH
What a way to end the year! What a Christmas gift for a man who is believed to have sold himself for the development of the Niger Delta! Within a few days, awards are pouring in for Dr Samuel Ogbuku. Quality awards, that is.
On Wednesday, it was BusinessDay that honoured him with an award of excellence in public service. It came some weeks after he got a similar honour in faraway Morocco- the African Public Service Award.
If these meant nothing to nay-sayers, then the one he is getting on Sunday, a from Nigeria’s president, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-a presidential Christmas gift that would be adorned with the garment of an award for excellence in infrastructure delivery and sustainable growth- will certainly be a final stamp of honour, a testament to the difference that Ogbuku has made in the NDDC.
This Sunday, Ogbuku will receive a presidential handshake at the Aso Rock villa for a job well done. He will receive accolades from his boss, the president himself, for properly interpreting his script and giving concise expression to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In the presence of family and friends, associates and even those who hate to love his zeal and candour, the president will look at him, eyeball to eye ball, and tell him, just like the biblical good servant, ‘well done, thou faithful, diligent, dutiful managing director of the NDDC.’
In the history of the commission, no managing director has been so honoured by a president. Which means that no other managing director, since the advent of the NDDC in the last 25 years, has done anything close to what Ogbuku has done in the Niger Delta, through the NDDC.
Sampler: He has completed several legacy projects that were initiated but abandoned by past administrations. He has also initiated and completed fresh projects, including quality roads, water, shore protection, bridges and electricity projects and has given hope to scores of youths who have been trained and empowered to survive.
One of his star projects is the solar street lights, which now dot all nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta. In fact, there is hardly any part of the region that has not been properly lit, a project that has contributed to the improved security situation in the region and also helped small scale business owners who rely on that energy source to do their business on the streets, at night.
During the week, the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, wrote on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to Ogbuku, conveying the decision of the president to him.
The letter said in part: “With reference to the letter from the Chairman, Advisory Council of Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, I write to respectfully inform you that you have been nominated to receive a Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth.”
Before now, Tinubu had, more than once, celebrated Ogbuku as a performing managing director, largely because of Ogbuku’s ability to interpret his dream for the Niger Delta region. Tinubu must have also been impressed by Ogbuku’s magic in putting a stop to protests and chaos that used to characterize the NDDC before 2022. In those days, there was hardly any week that youths would not barricade and take over the NDDC gate in their effort to seek attention. But this is no more; just as the destructive financial transactions in the commission has since given way to transparent transformation.
While receiving the BusinessDay award, Ogbuku had expressed joy, noting that it was an indication that Nigerians appreciated the work the NDDC was doing in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
“It is a recognition of our hard work all through the year. We thank God for the opportunity of service, and we thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving us the platform to showcase our ingenuity. He put together a team that has transformed the administration and development of the Niger Delta region.
“We also thank the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who has provided us with technical and administrative support. This honour calls on us to do more and reminds us that next year we must redouble our efforts and do better.
“We will not rest on our oars until we satisfy the yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta region and take development to the nooks and crannies of the region as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, acknowledged the recognition of his ministry’s collective efforts to rebuild public trust and enhance Nigeria’s information ecosystem under the current administration.
“Over the past 2 years, we have focused on redefining Nigeria’s national communication architecture to promote transparency, professionalism, and citizen-centred governance. We have revitalised the national orientation framework, strengthened government-to-citizen communication, and advanced reforms that promote media responsibility, ethical standards, and public accountability.
“The Ministry remains committed to building a more informed, united, and values-driven society. We will continue to strengthen public communication channels and deepen the reforms necessary for a healthier, more transparent information space.”
NDDC’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, who also spoke at the event in Abuja, said that the honour would energise the commission to do more.
He said the award has validated the contributions of the NDDC in driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta. “This recognition and acknowledgement will encourage us to continue contributing to the development of our region and the nation.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Publisher of Business Day, Mr Frank Aigbogun, had said that the BusinessDay awards were meant to honour functionaries in strategic government positions who demonstrate exceptional performance and leadership.
He noted: “The BusinessDay Public Lecture and Award Series is a veritable platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and business experts to discuss the most pressing issues facing Nigeria’s economy and proffer implementable solutions.”
Aigbogun, represented by the Editor of BusinessDay, Mr. Lolade Akinmurele, said that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. “It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.”
