The executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board [NCDMB], Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, was last weekend conferred with a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa by the Imo State University, Owerri.
The institution said the award was for Wabote’s excellent contributions to the growth and transformation of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and the towering leadership he has provided for the development of local content in Nigeria and Africa.
The award, which he dedicated to the management and staff of the Board for their excellent performance on their job functions and accomplishments, was received on his behalf by the director, planning, research and statistics, Mr. Patrick Daziba Obah.
In attendance at the event were important personalities, including the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and former governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, now a serving Senator of the Federal Republic, as well as the institution’s vice chancellor, Professor Uchefula Chukwumaeze.
Also Read: Wabote Receives Leadership Local Content Champion Award
In the citation on Engr. Wabote, an alumnus of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, the Imo State University stated: “Prior to his current appointment as the executive secretary of NCDMB, he had an exceptional career in Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), spanning over 26 years.
During his time in SPDC, he held several leadership roles and positions, including executive director; general manager, local content, and general manager, business and government relations.”
Under Wabote’s watch in 2017, the NCDMB developed a 10-Year Strategic Road Map with the key objective of achieving 70% Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry; creating 300,000 direct jobs; establishing major fabrication facilities in-country as well as hubs for the manufacture of equipment, components and accessories required by the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.
While honouring Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, the University held him up as a model public servant, a thought leader in local content, astute manager of men and resources, who has acquired significant academic knowledge and applied it practically in transforming an important sector in the Nigerian economy.
Also Read: Guinea Delegation Visits NCDMB To Understudy Local Content Management
It showed in his success story at SPDC and even more at NCDMB, where the organization has surpassed performance targets in several areas, including development of indigenous technical capability, and had upped Nigerian content from 26% in 2016 to 54% at the end of 2022.
On Tuesday last week, the Executive Secretary received the Leadership Local Content Champion of the Year Award at the 14th Leadership Conference and Awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Also on Wednesday, the Board was adjudged as “a Level 5 Platinum Level organization” in a summary report of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) Self-assessment Tool (SAT).
Be the first to know when we publish an update
