The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has been conferred with the BusinessDay Excellence in Public Service Award alongside the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, and seven other Ministers.
The award was presented to Ogbuku by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during the 2025 BusinessDay Public Service Lecture and Excellence Awards in Abuja.
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.
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, Engr. 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.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, acknowledged the recognition of his ministry’s collective efforts to rebuild public trust and enhance Nigeria’s information ecosystem under the current administration.
“Over the past 2 years, we have focused on redefining Nigeria’s national communication architecture to promote transparency, professionalism, and citizen-centred governance.
We have revitalised the national orientation framework, strengthened government-to-citizen communication, and advanced reforms that promote media responsibility, ethical standards, and public accountability.
“The Ministry remains committed to building a more informed, united, and values-driven society. We will continue to strengthen public communication channels and deepen the reforms necessary for a healthier, more transparent information space.”
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, Hon. 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, the Publisher of Business Day, Mr Frank Aigbogun, 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, Mr. 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.”
” There is no doubt that this year’s Public Service lecture and award, with the theme: Shaping Nigeria’s Economic Future: Navigating Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities”, is very apt, given the current critical challenges the country faces.
