NCDMB to host Dakuku Peterside for book reading session
The session will spotlight practical leadership lessons on navigating uncertainty and driving institutional change.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board is set to host the fourth edition of its Quarterly Book Reading Programme, featuring leadership expert and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dakuku Peterside. The event will be held on April 15, 2026, at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The session will focus on Peterside’s book, Leading in a Storm, which examines how leaders navigate uncertainty, crisis, and institutional change. At a time when organisations across sectors are dealing with economic pressure and shifting expectations, the conversation around practical leadership has become more relevant.
Rather than a routine literary event, the programme is designed as an interactive platform where participants can engage directly with the author through a reading session, question-and-answer segment, and book signing. The goal is to move beyond theory and create space for practical insights that professionals can apply in real-world situations.
Since its introduction in August 2014, the NCDMB book reading initiative has evolved into a space for structured conversations that extend beyond technical discussions in the oil and gas sector. The programme reflects a broader shift within the Board’s mandate, one that recognises that human capital development requires more than industry skills. It also demands critical thinking, continuous learning, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
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Peterside’s contribution to this conversation is rooted in experience. With more than 24 years spanning both public and private sectors, he has led organisations through complex transitions, focusing on reform, accountability, and performance improvement.
His work in leadership development has drawn attention from both local and international audiences, and Leading in a Storm has been described as a practical guide for navigating difficult leadership terrain. The book was named Book of the Year in 2025 by THISDAY, reinforcing its relevance in ongoing discussions about governance and institutional effectiveness.
At the upcoming session, participants will engage with a cross-section of professionals, academics, students, and policymakers, creating a diverse audience for knowledge exchange.
For the NCDMB, the programme is part of a deliberate effort to build a culture of learning within and outside its immediate sector. Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Obinna Ezeobi, emphasised its long-term value. In his words, “this programme will provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on leadership, resilience, and transformation, while advancing the Board’s broader objective of fostering intellectual growth and national development.”
He added that the initiative aligns with the Board’s capacity-building mandate, positioning knowledge exchange as a tool for preparing individuals to respond to evolving economic and institutional challenges.
The upcoming edition also builds on a growing list of contributors who have used the platform to share insights across different sectors. Previous sessions have featured media and thought leaders such as Azu Ishiekwene and Dayo Oketola, as well as Bubaraye Dakolo, reflecting the programme’s broad approach to leadership and knowledge sharing.
By bringing together voices from different sectors, the initiative continues to position itself as more than a book reading session, but a platform for conversations that shape how leadership is understood and practised in Nigeria.
