By Jones Abiri
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It’s forty nine years for a man whose mission to revamp and reposition Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to its rightful place of Glory is unwavering with challenges.
Indeed, NDDC has been on the path of rapid development over the last few years that Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku has been in office.
The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer has adopted a hands-on approach to governance by paying attention to the details of all the projects and programmes being executed.
Born on 19 August 1975, he is a self made man who left the comfort of his wealthy family to venture into business and politics. He dared and conquered the challenging waters of Nigeria’s politics.
As a dark horse in the All Progressive Congress politicking, his eventual victory shocked many political pundits just like he has left the opposition who are his detractors in awe of his many signature projects and impactful programmes that have touched many lives across the region.
The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer has worked tirelessly to resuscitate the decayed and abandoned infrastructure left behind by his predecessors. Many roads have either been built or reconstructed across the nine States. His urban renewal project under the Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region, has been applauded by all.
As a leader with vision, the new flyover bridges, the roads, solar street lights are effective solutions to the perennial and growing traffic snarls across the rapidly expanding region especially the East-West road.The various training programs and scholarships for the women, graduates scheme and youths are evidence of academic expanding status as a knowledge base region, business and conference destination over the past years.
In deliberate implementation of his plan to evolve the region into a conference, business and tourist destination, Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku embarked on collaboration with other agencies and development partners of international repute to bring development close to the people. Preparations are on top gear to bring and make the region an Innovation Hub.
His aggressive policy, was borne out of careful planning with the realization that no such facilities are comparable. With its completion, public and private companies, NGOs, Government Agencies now have a very convenient and serene venue to hold their business meeting and events and exploring the exciting tourist sites in the region due to stability of peace.
The up coming sports festival will also delight visitors to the region and provide direct and indirect employment for the teeming youths in the nine states. The sports festival was conceived to attract sports investors from Nigerian sports industry and attract Niger Delta youths into sporting career globally.
The establishment of the Innovation Hub for training youths in Information Technology will promote Tech Startups and lead to economic development of the region.
At a time when many roads and other infrastructural development were abandoned in the region, Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku has established a huge difference in terms of advocacy group for peace to make the region an Oil/Gas production hub similar to those in the Arab countries. The stability of the region will be providing jobs to thousands of people in the nine Niger Delta states.
The Ogbuku’s administration has embarked on an extensive urban renewal campaign with the reconstruction of roads in the States as well as the development of new roads in other major towns and rural areas.
In order to attract investments and create jobs in other parts of the States, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer has established amongst other projects, an industrial park policy.
The Managing Director has always been concerned about the hitherto poor primary and secondary education in the region. He has since repositioned education in the region with the construction of new classrooms, creating employment for hundreds of thousands for unskilled labour.
In addition, a new method of teaching has been introduced which uses modern technology and computer based hard and soft ware to impact positively on all students within the region.
Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku has also been applauded for the transformation of the health sector. Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres have been renovated and gradually equipping with facilities.
Staff and casual workers of the Commission have applauded the Managing Director for his commitment to their welfare and allowances and improved their working environment.
Agriculture is also a top priority for the Commission, he has distributed farm implements to the committed farmers in addition to provision of seedlings including fish farming.
Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku as great lover of Sports has map out plans to renovate some sports facilities in the region. The sports festival, first of its kind in West Africa, including Athletes to show case their talent before the global community. Many football games are expected to play in April this year. Many are not surprised because for many decades before mounting the saddle as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, was to sponsor sporting activities in the region.
There is no doubt that Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku’s achievements are a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. As the People’s Managing Director, he is always happy with his people. We salute his outstanding vision and look forward to his continued leadership and service to the people in Niger Delta and the nation at large as representative of the younger generation.
*Jones Abiri, is a Journalist and writes in from Yenagoa
