For reasons not farfetched, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel 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 to ensure effective service delivery to the people of Nigeria’s oil-rich region; hence members of the staff and management of the commission are celebrating their helmsman.
For this and other management achievements, the SUN Newspaper Limited honoured him with the Public Service Award for his exceptional leadership and transformative initiatives that have positively shaped the nine NDDC mandate states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Within a short period, Ogbuku has demonstrated that he is on a mission to transform the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria’s oil-rich region. Like a diamond, Ogbuku’s outstanding qualities could not go unrecognized.
The media organization found him worthy, among 35 other Nigerians celebrated at the Sun Awards 2024, held in Lagos, in a night of pomp and ceremony at the 22nd edition of the coveted awards.
The occasion celebrated outstanding Nigerians who have distinguished themselves remarkably in various fields of endeavour.
The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, and chairman of the occasion, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje praised The Sun Awards for consistently recognizing deserving Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields.
Ganduje commended the NDDC Managing Director for his efforts to transform the face of Niger Delta communities without waiting for applause.
Presenting the Public Service Award to Ogbuku, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, observed that the event was designed to celebrate Nigeria’s finest, even as she commended Ogbuku’s leadership qualities and urged him to do more for the region’s people, as his good will always speak for him.
An elated Ogbuku said he was humbled by the award and remarked that it showed that Nigerians and Niger Delta people appreciated the development efforts of the NDDC.
He said, “The credit also goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is committed to ensuring the rapid development of the Niger Delta region.”
He said the NDDC Board and Management were grateful to the editors of the Sun newspapers for validating the contributions of the commission in driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
The NDDC boss hailed The Sun Limited for sustaining good journalism and expressed happiness at being among the distinguished individuals who were found worthy of being honoured.
He said: “I am deeply honoured to be one of the recipients of The Sun Public Service Award 2024. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Editors and the entire team at The Sun Publishing Limited for considering me worthy of this prestigious recognition. This selection and acknowledgement will encourage us to continue contributing to the development of our region and the nation.”