The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, (middle) receiving an award of excellence from the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Samuel Numonengi (left), at his country home in Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa. On the right is Comrade Ogio Clement Ipigansi.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council has honoured the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, with an Excellence Award in recognition of his contributions to the society.
Presenting the plague of award to Ogbuku at his country home in Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, said the award was part of activities marking the Bayelsa State 2024 NUJ Press Week.
The NUJ chairman said the union had gone through the track records of the NDDC Managing-Director, particularly his leadership role in the Commission which had translated in the various developmental projects embarked upon by the Commission such as the massive provision of Solar Street Lights to rural Niger Delta communities, and came to the conclusion that the MD deserved the award.
In his response, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer dedicated the award to the Commission and thanked the NUJ, Bayelsa State Council for recognising the interventionist role of the Commission, noting that the award would spur the Commission to do more on its mandate.
While acknowledging the watch-dog and agenda-setting roles of the media in the society, the NDDC MD urged practicing journalists to always strive to be professional in their reportage.
He stated further that the media remained dependable partners in development, adding that the Commission under his leadership would continue to collaborate with the media for better people-oriented projects in the Niger Delta Region.