While many leaders hug the limelight and are loath to allow others to share the stage, Engr. Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the local content agency, NCDMB has a different leadership style. He shows that more can be achieved when a leader has a strong team.

Teamship, which refers to collaborative efforts, rather than individualism, entered popular lingo with the Big Brother reality TV show a few years back. It was no surprise when Dr Ama Ikiru, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services referred to the reality show providing a template for harnessing the creativity and ingenuity of Nigerians.

Although he did not use the word, Dr Ikiru’s reference to the reality TV show and the collaborative leadership on display at the maiden outing of the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Omatsola Ogbe, at the annual breakfast meeting with media executives, was a sight to behold.

The Executive Secretary was at the event with four directors: Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation; Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, Director, Project Certification and Authorisation; Naboth Onyesoh, Director, Legal Services Directorate and Dr Ikiru. The directors took turns to provide deep insights into the workings of the Board, and how local content is key to driving economic development and prosperity for Nigerians.

It was not a one-man show; it was, indeed, a fine display of teamwork, which is a rare sight in this part of the world.

While Engr. Ogbe provided a helicopter view of policies and programmes of local content in the oil and gas industry, and also articulated his plans to make local content (more) beneficial to people and businesses in the creeks and hinterland, the directors provided granular details of the plans, providing data, and clarifications.

It is indeed a new era at the NCDMB. It is an excellent strategy as it can quickly become overwhelming for even the most gifted orator engaging the media over a two- to three-hour period, given the avid interest in local content shown by journalists.

The team shines

Dr Ikiru kept harping on developing local capacity to produce what we consume, by asking: “What can we do for ourselves?” He said development was a long-term focus, not a short run, and that it was important to empower people with skills, knowledge and capacity, rather than quick fixes which are the forte of politicians.

He enumerated the various projects that are currently being implemented with the major objective of making Nigeria an investment destination.

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After Dr Ikiru’s presentation was Alhaji Halilu, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation. Calm and confident, he elaborated on the approaches the Board applies in engaging the oil and gas industry particularly the place of data in development.

What doesn’t get measured does not get done,” he quipped. In monitoring operators, the Board plays the role of a business enabler, not one wielding the big stick, he said. Any commitment made is followed through to ensure that the objectives are delivered.

It is this high level of commitment that has led to considerable growth of Nigerian companies, with a local company, Fairtex which was nurtured under the Board’s Project 100 initiative, sponsoring an event in Ghana which had NCDMB’s participation.

Next was Engr. Bamidele, Director, Project Certification and Authorisation is quite exuberant about local content. Oftentimes people do not realise the importance of the ‘D’ in the Board’s name, saying:

After developing capacity, it is to ensure that the capacity is utilised.”Providing additional details of the new policy direction of the Executive Secretary, Bamidele said that oil and gas operations tend to be elitist because of factors such as the high level of technology required, and huge funding, among others.

Back to the Creeks programme will however bring the benefits of the industry to the creeks and communities that were hitherto alienated from the industry. He certainly makes a good sales pitch.

Rounding up the presentation of the directors was Barr. Onyesoh, Director, Legal Services Directorate. He has an interesting background, as he was not so long ago managing the corporate communications of the Board. He developed a close working relationship with many journalists, and that had a beneficial impact on the Board’s visibility.

Although listening to matters of the law and regulations are not particularly exciting, less so those of the oil and gas industry, Onyesoh’s excellent communication skills make engagements with such matters less cumbersome. His explanations of the recently signed presidential directives and applying key performance indicators were of particular interest.

Knowledge sharing and deep engagement

Barr. Esueme Kikile, General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination of the Board it was who set the stage for the event. He highlighted the role of the media in shaping narratives and how important it was for journalists to focus on developing Nigeria.

Dr Obinna Ezeobi, Deputy Manager, Corporate Communications, anchored the event which had an ice-breaker segment that tested journalists’ knowledge of local content in the oil and gas industry. The results showed that the media is keenly invested in Nigeria’s development.

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Engr. Ogbe’s leadership style, which provides a platform for others to shine, is refreshing to see. It is evident the Board’s people are deeply knowledgeable, have a strong desire to develop the country, and are highly supportive of their boss to succeed.

With such an accomplished team, delivering on the 70 percent local content target by 2027 may not be as daunting as it appeared when the target was announced many years ago.

Adewole Ojo is the Editor-in-Chief of Meiza Nigeria.

Adewole Ojo

Adewole Ojo is the Editor-in-Chief of Meiza Nigeria. He can be reached on adewole.ojo@fourpoints.ng.