NDDC Chief Ogbuku Highlights Old Students’ Contributions to Societal Progress
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has emphasised the significant role that old students’ associations play in the advancement of their alma maters and society.
Speaking over the weekend at the annual luncheon and dinner of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys’ Association (GCUOBA), Warri Branch, held at Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Ogbuku, who served as the event’s chairman, highlighted the contributions of alumni in supporting educational institutions.
He stated, “The high point of this event is that there is a history you are carrying on—giving back to a generation. You are not the first set of students of the school, but it was handed over to you, and you are also giving back to a generation behind you. One of the major reasons old student associations stand is also to let those in the school know they have a responsibility to the society.”
Dr. Ogbuku acknowledged the financial and material contributions of alumni in addressing challenges faced by public schools, including the provision of teaching aids, teacher training, infrastructure, and equipment for laboratories and IT centres.
He said, “Old students today are the ones sustaining most of the public schools because they have a lot of gaps in terms of what they lack—teaching aids, training of teachers, construction of buildings. I have seen old students renovating buildings, providing laboratory equipment, and building IT centres.”
Expressing pride in the college’s legacy, he said he was honoured to associate with the old boys’ association and pledged NDDC’s support for the institution.
During the event, Awards of Excellence were presented to three distinguished alumni: Mr. Sam Omatseye, chairman of the editorial board of The Nation (recognised for Excellence in Journalism), Dr. Lucky Okparanyote, and Dr. Dolamu Sokunbi.
In his acceptance speech, Omatseye described the award as the “biggest honour.”
He said, “I want to thank the Warri branch for the award. It’s one thing to do things; it’s another to be appreciated. I have received, obviously, a lot of awards, but there are some awards that are very close to the heart. No matter how big some awards are, some are even bigger than those bigger ones. I can say that even though I have had international awards, I can say this one ranks up there with any award that I have ever had.”
The event was attended by notable figures, including Delta State Commissioner for Works Reuben Izeze; Commissioner for Secondary Education Rose Ezewu, represented by an aide, Nath Umukoro; HRM A. Agoh, the Ibinawei of Egbema Kingdom in Bayelsa State; GCUOBA President-General Worldwide, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN); Sir Elijah Temile, the Olujuwa of Warri Kingdom; and Chief Miller Uloho, among others.
Paul Gbemre, a former president of the GCUOBA Warri Branch, urged alumni to continue their positive impact on the college. He cited several projects undertaken by his administration, including the establishment of an alkaline water factory.
The induction of new Ancient Mariners and the swearing-in of the new Executive Committee were other highlights of the ceremony.
