Vice chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Professor Owunari Georgewill, has described the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for being a worthy ambassador of the Ivory Tower.
He spoke recently when Ogbuku paid a one-day working visit to his alma mater.
Georgewill said, “You once trod this campus as a young student with zeal to change the environment you met as a student. Today, several years later, you are here with the zeal to effect the change you have so dearly worked for. Today, the university that admitted you as a young person, yearning for knowledge, has rolled out the drums to welcome you.”
Georgewill, who welcomed Ogbuku and the management of the NDDC to the school, told the gathering that as a young man in pursuit of academic attainment, he bagged all his academic qualifications from the university.
Amongst the qualifications acquired by Ogbuku from UNIPORT include his (B.Sc), Political Science, Masters of Science (MSc.) Political Science and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, also in Political and Public Administration.
The pro-chancellor of the university, Senator Andrew Uchendu, told council members that he had only known Ogbuku from a distance and that having come to know him closely, he was overwhelmed by the grace and humility that defines his personality.
In his response, Ogbuku said having spent almost the better part of his adult life undergoing various levels of studies in the university, he felt emotionally attached to UNIPORT.
In words that echoed the memories and value of the years spent in the institution, Ogbuku told the gathering that he valued “the special reception in his honour even more than the doctorate degree, which he earned from the university.”
According to him, he was overwhelmed by the show of love and even more humbled and honoured to be hosted by his teachers.
“I am even more proud today to say I am an alumnus of the unique UNIPORT,” he said.
Ogbuku told members of the University’s Governing Council that the NDDC would incorporate the needs of major stakeholders in its 2024 budget.
“We are here to understand what your priorities are. We believe it is not enough to conceive projects. We have to interface with the beneficiaries, including stakeholders like state governments, to execute meaningful projects and avoid duplication of projects” he said.
Continuing, Ogbuku said it had become necessary to involve the Commission’s stakeholders in the formulation phases of the NDDC’s planning in order to give stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, what was needful and sustainable.
He noted that members of the University community across the nine NDDC mandate states were critical stakeholders of the Commission. “You are very important to us because amongst the stakeholders of the NDDC, we believe that you are very important” he said.
In conclusion, Ogbuku informed the university that the commission was open to partnership with the university in the area of research and other benefits it can offer.
He was accompanied on the visit by the NDDC executive director (Finance and Administration), Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), the executive director (Projects), Mr. Charles Ogunmola and other directors.
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