Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), received the BusinessDay Excellence in Public Service Award, shared with Information Minister Alhaji Mohammed Idris and seven other ministers. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented it at the 2025 BusinessDay Public Service Lecture and Excellence Awards in Abuja.

Ogbuku, thrilled by the recognition, said it reflects national appreciation for NDDC’s efforts in the oil-rich Niger Delta. “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.”

Minister Idris, also honored, highlighted his ministry’s two-year push for transparent communication: “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.”

NDDC’s Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, called the award validating for sustainable development, while Executive Director Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, pledged continued community impact.

BusinessDay Publisher Mr. Frank Aigbogun, via Editor Mr. Lolade Akinmurele, emphasized the awards’ role in spotlighting exceptional public service under the theme: Shaping Nigeria’s Economic Future: Navigating Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities. “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.”