The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has presented service awards to its retiring Directors and other staff for their contributions to the progress and performance of the Commission in the discharge of its mandate to develop the Niger Delta region.

According to a press release on Saturday, 21st December 2024 signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama,nspeaking during the ceremony to celebrate the service of retired staff at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stressed the need to recognise and honour retired staff for playing different roles in driving the development process.

The NDDC boss commended the retirees for the decades of meritorious service they had given to the Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria as a whole, noting that it was a big honour to be recognised by one’s organisation.

He urged the Commission’s serving and retired staff to see the interventionist agency as their common patrimony that must be protected from unwarranted attacks.

He said that the NDDC management had approved an annual Christmas package for all former Commission directors, noting that it was always important to recognise and reward the efforts of staff and retirees who have served with unblemished records.

Ogbuku told the retirees, “You have an institutional memory of the NDDC that is invaluable to those still in service. We will, therefore, continue to tap into your wealth of experience by engaging some of you as consultants.”

In his opening remarks, the NDDC Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, described the ceremony as a celebration of the retirees’ service.

He said that the current NDDC management thought it wise to make the retirement process less stressful: “The honour the NDDC bestows on the retirees is to give hope to those still in service. It is a celebration of hope for the retirees.”

Responding on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr Pius Ughakpoteni, thanked the NDDC Board and Management for recognising their contributions and celebrating them even in retirement.

He promised that they would continue to support the efforts of the NDDC whenever they were called upon to assist.

He remarked: “Retirement is one of the greatest opportunities to rediscover oneself. It is a time to learn new things, relearn and unlearn. It is also a time to give back to society by mentoring young people.”

•PHOTO: NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (right), presents an award to the former Corporate Affairs Director, Dr Pius Ughakpoteni, during a Celebration of Service ceremony for the Commission's retired staff at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.