I do not envy Mr Ogbuku’s job. It appears quite complex, extremely demanding, and involves managing divergent stakeholders who often seem entitled. However, I admire how he quietly but distinctively discharges his duties in a manner that leaves everyone sufficiently engaged. His display of political wit, dexterity, and versatility suggests that he has more to offer the region beyond his current position. I wish him good health and wisdom in delivering positive developmental footprints in this current position and beyond.
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, will turn fifty next week. However, contrary to the expectation of many, he will be marking his birthday differently. He decided to convert it to a festival of ideas and debates through the presentation of two books that he and his colleagues authored. Although many of his friends and associates would have wished for a more elaborate celebration, his decision is a reaffirmation of the value he places on scholarship and intellectual inquiry. I have glanced through both books and can confirm that they demonstrate a courageous and forward-looking attempt to proffer pragmatic solutions to lingering Niger Delta questions.
Through his writings, he reveals his evident passion for the region and his desire to leave it in better condition than he found it. One thing every reader will likely acknowledge is the author’s intellectual honesty. He is frank about the historical challenges of the region and boldly admits the misadventures of the past. However, he offers himself as an instrument for a conscious and deliberate recalibration through a pathway full of hope and optimism. It was as though he was somewhere quietly preparing himself and incubating ideas for such a leadership role ever before his appointment.
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His preference for intellectual pragmatism in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta is not a one-off affair. He has recruited several academics on sabbatical leave from renowned universities across the region, who are embedded as researchers in core departments within the Commission. Sometime in 2019, our firm was engaged to support NDDC’s efforts to rebuild partnerships with development partners and the private sector. However, a few weeks after we submitted our roadmap and started work, the management of the Commission at that time was removed. The preceding management did not pay much attention to the plan we submitted until Mr Ogbuku and his team came on board.
As part of his deliberate efforts to re-engineer the Commission’s perception positively and encourage it to partner with donors and the private sector, he invited us. Supporting NDDC’s work in the past two years has further revealed Mr Ogbuku’s personality and style to me and my team. He puts no one in doubt about his progressive disposition and solution mindset. He is ever willing to listen to new ideas and allows positive initiatives to thrive. I recall a time when the Registrar of the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, visited Port Harcourt and requested to see him. He agreed to meet with him but got very busy with work. When I reminded him, he graciously allowed the Registrar to meet with him in the evening at home. That is how far he can go when he gives you his word.
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Many members of staff share the view that Mr Ogbuku possesses excellent administrative acumen and an inclusive governance approach. Multiple sources within the staff have confirmed to me that the current management of the Commission is likely one of the best in terms of staff welfare. Many innovative welfare schemes have been introduced to boost staff morale and enhance professionalism.
A few times when our work got caught in some bureaucratic inertia, he intervened with a depth and understanding that we did not expect. His engagements with donors and investors within and outside the country consistently inspire positive feedback, suggesting that the NDDC now enjoys improved trust from stakeholders.
Many members of staff share the view that Mr Ogbuku possesses excellent administrative acumen and an inclusive governance approach. Multiple sources within the staff have confirmed to me that the current management of the Commission is likely one of the best in terms of staff welfare. Many innovative welfare schemes have been introduced to boost staff morale and enhance professionalism. Such an approach confirms that the Managing Director is someone who regularly and willingly listens to the pulse and concerns of his subordinates.
Working with or around Ogbuku, you will readily observe that he is a rallying point and a gifted connector of people from diverse political persuasions – whether you are his schoolmate, neighbour while growing up in Port Harcourt, or kinsman in his village. You can rest assured that he will create time out of his hectic schedule to listen to you. You may underrate the versatility of his emotional intelligence until you engage him. He may not be perfect in this regard, but I have heard some of his childhood friends commend him for not letting the glamour of the office distract him from his old friends or childhood associates.
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I do not envy Ogbuku’s job. It appears quite complex, extremely demanding, and involves managing divergent stakeholders who often seem entitled. However, I admire how he quietly but distinctively discharges his duties in a manner that leaves everyone sufficiently engaged. His display of political wit, dexterity, and versatility suggests that he has more to offer the region beyond his current position. I wish him good health and wisdom in delivering positive developmental footprints in this current position and beyond.
Uche Igwe is a political economy analyst and visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. You can reach him at [email protected]
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