The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has honoured 203 staff at its 2025 Long Service awards for their contributions to the Commission’s progress and performance.
The awards recognised employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, and 30 years of service to the Commission.

Speaking during the award ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the awards were meant to motivate and build staff confidence.

Ogbuku, represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, celebrated the awardees and prayed that the years ahead bring them fulfilment, growth, and continued success. He urged staff to draw inspiration from their colleagues’ achievements and remain committed to delivering quality service.

According to him, “The reward for good work is more work.” He urged employees to continue giving their best to the Commission and the Niger Delta region, stating that the practice to honour long-serving staff was a demonstration of the Commission’s appreciation for their years of dedication.

He noted that the awardees have contributed immensely to the management’s drive to move the Commission “from transaction to transformation.”

He congratulated the awardees on reaching remarkable milestones and declared: “Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence are genuinely inspiring. We sincerely appreciate your years of service dedicated to the NDDC.”

In his remarks, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, one of the recipients for 20-year long service award, expressed gratitude to the management for the recognition. He noted that while some organisations fail to acknowledge their employees’ contributions, the NDDC has consistently rewarded excellence and commitment. He thanked the Executive Management for recognising the individual and collective efforts of staff, urging his colleagues to remain steadfast in their service and support for the Commission’s mandate.

The NDDC Director, Education, Health and Social Services, EHSS, Dr George Uzonwanne, who received the 20-year Long Service Award, described the recognition as a double celebration. He reflected on joining the Commission years ago as a young doctor with many aspirations, noting that the NDDC played a significant role in his professional development through local and international training opportunities.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has promised that the second edition of the Niger Delta games to be hosted by Edo State in 2026 will be bigger and better.

The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, and the Chairman, Main Organising Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, gave the assurance during the inaugural meeting for the Niger Delta Games at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He expressed delight at the success of the maiden edition, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in 2025, and assured that the games in Edo State would be more colourful and exciting.

Iyaye stated that the games brought peace and togetherness to the region, giving youths the platform to showcase their talents. He said that the games in Edo will further consolidate the gains made so far and provide more young people with opportunities to discover their innate talents and be useful to themselves, the region, and society.

He thanked the Governors of the Niger Delta States for their support, which allowed the seamless flow of the games. He urged members of the Main and Local Organising Committees to do their best to ensure the second edition is successful and memorable.

While inaugurating the Local Organising Committee for the Second edition, Alabo Iyaye advised Niger Deltans to allow their children and youths to embrace sports, as it is a powerful tool for growth and development.

The Bayelsa State Sports Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali, commended the NDDC for initiating the Niger Delta Games, which he described as “historic,” stating: “We have taken the lead in sports and every other Commission is following our footsteps, but they can’t match what we have put in place.”

Igali expressed confidence that the second edition would be better and more memorable, as sports align with the region’s aspirations. He promised that the Bayelsa State Government would continue to support the NDDC to organise a successful sporting competition.

The Lead consultant for the games, Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, thanked the NDDC for its determination to develop the Niger Delta region and advised the organising committees to start work despite the yuletide season, as there was limited time for preparation. He promised that ” EDO 2026″ will live up to expectations.”

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has been nominated for the Public Servant of the Year Award for his commitment to bringing peace and development to the Niger Delta.

This was made known during a courtesy visit by the New Telegraph team to the NDDC Chief Executive Officer at the Commission’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt as contained in a statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs

Accepting the nomination, Ogbuku noted, “We accept the award, and we say thank you for this recognition. This is not the first award we are receiving, as we have had several awards in areas of revolutionising and transforming the Niger Delta.”

He stated: “The Board and Management of the Commission are driven by the zeal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in developing the Niger Delta. We ensure that whatever we do is in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, ensures that we give periodic reports on our activities coupled with oversight functions of the National Assembly; we have no choice but to succeed. Mr. President has given us all we need to succeed.”

The NDDC Boss also noted areas in which the Commission had excelled, including the Light-Up-the-Niger-Delta Project, the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Tablets to schoolchildren in the region, and youth empowerment training.

Ogbuku observed: “We are focused on the next chapter. We are taking roads and water to inaccessible communities in the region. We will soon commence a six-month 1,000-youth training in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Akwa Ibom State; the modalities are currently being worked out.”

He added: “This award is not just for the NDDC. It flows from the President, to the National Assembly and to our stakeholders. This honour and recognition is a charge to do more. We do not take it for granted.”

In his own remarks, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph newspaper, Mr. Ayodele Aminu, remarked: “We have watched, with keen interest, the activities of the Managing Director of the NDDC since he assumed office. Our Board of Editors and Panel of Judges singled him out as Public Servant of the Year because of his significant strides in accountability, youth empowerment, Light Up the Niger Delta, and region-wide infrastructural development, amongst others.”

He said that the New Telegraph 2025 Awards Ceremony is scheduled to be held on February 13, 2026, in Lagos.

President Bola Tinubu has called on public servants to uphold accountability in service to build trust, as he conferred the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth on the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and other outstanding leaders.

Speaking at the third edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, NEAPS, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President warned that weak sanction systems and lax oversight often fuel cynicism about governance.

President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, said the excellence award initiative would challenge officials to raise standards because “they know the people are monitoring them.”

He observed, “The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable will always lead to a negative impression on the citizens.

“I wish that leaders would arise and stand up to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time.”

The President argued that public service is a trust that must be exercised with “responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency,” adding that officers are expected to think creatively to solve citizens’ problems.

He observed that the excellence award organised by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation “relies on performance indices, not politics, to select honourees.”

The President said: “These awards are born out of empirical evidence of performance and not politics,” he said, commending recipients drawn from federal and state institutions, including some governors and ministers.

Speaking on the award, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Ogbuku, remarked that it showed that Nigerians appreciated the work the NDDC was doing in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
He thanked President Tinubu and the NEAPS award committee for the honour, reaffirming his commitment to sustaining the pace of development and transforming the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku noted: “This award serves as a motivation to continue driving the sustainable development of our region. We will continue to serve the needs of the people and enhance the quality of life for them.”

“This honour calls for more hard work, and 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 a congratulatory message, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, described the award conferred on Ogbuku as a testament to the innovations and progress he brought into the management of the Commission.

He stated that Ogbuku was rightly chosen for the prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to nation-building, dedication to fostering progress and unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Ebie noted: “The activities of the current Board and Management of the NDDC now resonate with the people of the Niger Delta region and beyond.”

The Chairman of the NEAPS Advisory Committee and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili, observed that service excellence must never be taken for granted, stating: “Excellence in public service is a value we must continue to uphold.”
The NEAPS 2025 awards were presented to 44 distinguished Nigerians, in categories that include excellence in infrastructure service delivery, urban renewal, financial innovation, digital innovation, outstanding reform initiative, security management, transparency and open governance.

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.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will confer the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth on the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, on December 7, 2025.

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

According to the Permanent Secretary, the prestigious award ceremony, scheduled to take place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, would be graced by President Tinubu.

Danjuma states: “With reference to the letter from the Chairman, Advisory Council of Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, I write to respectfully inform you that you have been nominated to receive a Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth.”

Recall that the President had, on July 12, 2024, during the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt, commended the NDDC Board and Management for working in harmony to fast-track the development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

This recognition highlights Ogbuku’s remarkable contributions to advancing infrastructure development and promoting sustainable growth in the Niger Delta region. Significant achievements, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and social amenities, have marked his stewardship at NDDC.

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for offering the state the hosting rights of the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival.

Senator Okpebholo gave the commendation when the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, led a team of the Commission’s officials, including the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Edo State Representative on the Board of the Commission, Hon. Patrick Aisoweiorem, and other Directors, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City.

In a statement by Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Governor Okpegholo acknowledged the achievements recorded by the NDDC in recent times, noting a positive turnaround in the execution of projects in Edo State.

The Governor said the Niger Delta Sports Festival would harness the youth’s potential, promote unity and community development in the Niger Delta region.

He commended the NDDC for initiating the sports festival, which he said had provided a platform to bring young sports talents from the region together. According to him, “this praiseworthy initiative would foster youth development, promote peace, and contribute to economic growth.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, affirmed that the Commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the development of the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku urged state governors in the Niger Delta region to increase their collaboration with the NDDC to promote economic and sustainable development in the oil-rich region.

The NDDC boss restated the importance of stakeholder engagements, which he noted was a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He observed that events like sports festivals were not just about competition but also about unity, development, and the discovery of homegrown talents.

Ogbuku stated: “We are all united by a common problem, such as environmental challenges. We should leverage on sports as a uniting factor.”

The Managing Director noted that previous partnerships had been very beneficial to the Niger Delta region. He recalled that the NDDC successfully executed the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, constructed in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.

He noted that the Commission recently completed the emergency reconstruction of the Irrua-Ewu-Agbede Road in Uhunwonde/Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ogbuku explained that the Irrua-Aviele project would link up with the Benin-Irrua road project being executed by the Federal Ministry of Works.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, describing him as an excellent motivator for many achievements recorded by the NDDC.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr Desmond Enabulele, said that the state was peaceful and rich in culture. He thanked the state governor for his massive support for sports development in the state.