Samuel Ogbuku and the changing tides at NDDC

L-R: Samuel Ogbu, NDDC CEO, receiving the plaque from Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs

A writer and media strategist, Ifeatu Agbu, says the tides have changed as far as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is concerned. This seems to be on the heels of the rare award bagged by the NDDC CEO, Samuel Ogbuku.

Agbu said in an article that the narrative is now about gains rather than pains as the NDDC sails in calm waters with gentle waves swaying in acclamation.

In such a salutary atmosphere, he went on, it is not surprising that awards and accolades are tumbling in for the captain steering the ship of the foremost intervention agency. He spoke few days after Ogbu bagged the rare award from BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of one of Africa’s strongest business dailies.

Agbu went on: “Like an oyster, delivering precious pearls, the Managing Director of the NDDC is transforming and reshaping the Niger Delta region. For his remarkable vision and strides, Ogbuku now wears the badge of a transformational leader in the development of the Niger Delta region.

“He is leading the charge in transitioning the NDDC from transaction to transformation, ensuring effective service delivery to underdeveloped communities. This positive trajectory has attracted recognition and accolades from many quarters.”

According to the article, since Ogbuku mounted the saddle at the NDDC, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of Nigeria’s oil-rich region, bringing remarkable improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and community development.

As expected, he said, Ogbuku’s outstanding performance has seen him hug the spotlight and share the podium with other eminent Nigerians to receive awards for excellence, industry, and enterprise.

On December 3, 2025, he wrote, the Awards Committee for the BusinessDay Public Lecture Series honoured him as an outstanding public service provider, reflecting his exceptional dedication and commitment to excellence and setting a high standard for his peers.

“Ogbuku stood tall as he received an award for outstanding public service executive. Within a short time, he has demonstrated that he is on a mission to transform the socio-economic landscape of the Niger Delta. It was a night of celebration, pomp, and ceremony.”

Presenting the award to Ogbuku, Agbu reported, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, an ambassador, said the event was designed to celebrate Nigeria’s finest. He commended Ogbuku’s leadership qualities and urged him to do more for the region, as his goodwill always speaks for him.

Speaking during the ceremony, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer expressed joy over the award and remarked that it showed that Nigerians appreciated the work the NDDC was doing in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

Read also: Samuel Ogbuku’s footprints stand out for national celebration alongside other top Nigerians

Ogbuku stated: “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, 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.”

Giving his impressions on the award to the NDDC Managing Director, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, 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.”

Also speaking, the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, described the award as a significant recognition for the NDDC. He thanked the BusinessDay newspaper and noted that the NDDC would continue to give back to the communities in the Niger Delta region.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Frank Aigbogu, the Publisher of Business Day, 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, 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.”

Coming on the heels of the BusinessDay Public Service Excellence Award is yet another accolade from President Tinubu. This time, the nation’s seat of power is conferring the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth on Ogbuku.

According to Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ogbuku would be honoured at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) organised by The Best Strategic (TBS) Media in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The Permanent Secretary affirmed that Ogbuku was selected for the honour for his outstanding contributions to infrastructure development and efforts to promote sustainable growth in the Niger Delta region.

Agbu wrote that the recognition aligns with President Tinubu’s earlier commendation of the NDDC leadership during the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt on July 12, 2024, where he commended the Commission’s Board and Management for working cohesively to accelerate development in the oil-rich region.

Firmly seated behind the wheels, he said, Ogbuku has fast-tracked progress in road and bridge construction, building of schools and hospitals, and the provision of essential social amenities across Niger Delta communities. These efforts have strengthened regional infrastructure and promoted inclusive growth.

Ogbuku’s impact on the Niger Delta is profound and far-reaching. With his inspiring dynamism, the region looks forward to sustained development and a brighter future for its people. The transforming taking place in the region is a testament to what dedicated and visionary leadership can achieve.

He stated that the impressive infrastructural developments that have come with the Ogbuku era continues to be appreciated at the local, national and international levels. On October 21, 2025, the NDDC Managing Director was honoured by the London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) as the Nigeria Regional Government Development Champion of the Year 2025.

The award ceremony, held at the UK House of Commons in London, was presented to Ogbuku for his outstanding contributions to regional development, innovation, and governance in the Niger Delta.

Earlier in March this year, he further disclosed, all roads led to Marrakesh in Morocco, where the Niger Delta icon bagged the African Public Service Award from Heritage Times in recognition of his transformative leadership and service to the Niger Delta region.

The academic community recognised the star from the South-South region and endorsed it. Thus, the Governing Council and the Senate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on July 26, 2025, awarded the Degree of Doctor of Public Administration, DPA (Honoris Causa), at the 54th convocation ceremony of the university.

On June 30, 2025, the Nigerian Army saluted the efforts of the NDDC under Ogbuku’s leadership, decorating him with the Nigerian Army Outstanding Service Commendation Medal.

The army declared: “We honour Ogbuku for his immense contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army Infrastructure, human capital Development, as well as enhancement of the Nigerian Army’s operation, efficiency and accomplishment of the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy.

Emulating the army, the Nigeria Police Force gave its own thumbs-up, conferring the Police Support Recognition Award on the NDDC leadership. The award was presented at the inaugural Nigeria Police Award and Commendation Ceremony in recognition of continued support for the Police Force and their partnership in building the Country’s security architecture.

Before the BusinessDay award, according to Agbu, other media houses had seen the gem in Ogbuku. The Sun newspapers had, in April, conferred the Sun Public Service Award on Ogbuku for his contributions in the repositioning of the interventionist agency and implementing policies and projects that have improved the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta region.

Similarly, the Daily Independent newspapers bestowed an honour on the NDDC as the “Interventionist Agency of the Year 2024.” The newspaper recognised the NDDC’s achievements and transformative impact on the Niger Delta region.

In the words of Albert Schweitzer, a renowned German-French physician, famous for his humanitarian work in Africa, “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

Ogbuku fits the bill, as he has demonstrated his determination to transform the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria’s oil-rich region. Like a diamond, Ogbuku’s outstanding qualities could not go unrecognised.

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