Ofonime UMANAH
He did not make so much noise about it. He just wanted a quiet event to celebrate the woman that bore him for nine months and guided him through life’s oddities till he became an adult.
So, during the weekend, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, with the support of some of his friends, including some executive directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, honoured his mother as she turned 75.
He did not want to behave like others who would only celebrate their mother in death. No. He chose to celebrate the woman who disciplined and nurtured him, to make him the good and level headed human being that he has become, good enough to drive the NDDC.
In a statement, Ogbuku said it would be difficult to forget the training and discipline she got from her mother. She said the mother took time to care for and love him and his siblings “while we were growing up.
“I recall her guidance, tutelage, and discipline, which helped to straighten our paths whenever we strayed. For all these and much more, at 75, I say thank you to my mother.”
Then this: “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to express my gratitude to my mother for all she has done, while she is still alive. Many people never had the chance to celebrate their mothers or to say thank you; for some, all they could do was to say goodbye.
“Today, we are celebrating life, and I can proudly say thank you to my mother for moulding me into the man I have become. Despite the challenges of growing up in Port Harcourt and especially not in the best of environments, she nurtured and guided me, ensuring I did not follow paths that could have derailed my future. Her strength, love, and discipline shaped my character and kept me focused.
“I say thank you again and again. I have always thanked God in my private moments for my life, His grace, and His mercies. I have also thanked my mother privately, but today, as she marks her 75th birthday, I want to say thank you publicly.”
He also thanked the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, the Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai (PhD), the NDDC Directors; my friends; and all the well-wishers who joined me in celebrating my mother.”
Meanwhile, Ogbuku, says the Commission is now cruising on high altitude with the blessings of God. He spoke at the commission’s annual thanksgiving service at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt.
He noted that with the multiple awards of excellence given to the commission this year, it was obliged to put in more effort in 2026, and enjoined the staff to imbibe the culture of thanksgiving to attract more blessings from God, noting that the Almighty Father had been faithful and merciful to the NDDC.
Ogbuku stressed the importance of thanksgiving and “glorifying the Lord for guiding and protecting the Commission and its workforce in its activities.”
He stated that thanksgiving was a good way to seek the face of God, noting that showing gratitude even in the midst of challenges would bring about a positive turnaround.
He maintained that under his leadership, the NDDC Management would continue to work in harmony with staff, soliciting more support to enable the Board and Management to achieve their targeted goals.
In his exhortations, the Rivers Regional Pastor of Redeemed Christian Church, Pastor Remi Odebode, said that the NDDC had discovered the secrete of greatness and success, “which is locked in thanksgiving.”
The cleric stated that God’s blessings would follow the NDDC and its leadership because they have continued to reverence the Almighty Father through thanksgiving.
The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, restated that the commission would never be tired of giving thanks to God for numerous blessings and favours.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, thanked God for the successes the NDDC had recorded over the years.
