Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has stressed the need for public servants to demonstrate fiscal responsibility in both their professional capacities and personal lives.
Ogbuku made this known in his keynote address during a seven-day personal financial management training program for NDDC staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, quoted Ogbuku as urging the Commission’s staff to promote financial independence and adopt feasible and sustainable personal financial management habits.
The training, anchored on the theme “Personal Financial Management Training: Strategies for Eliminating Debt and Achieving Financial Freedom,” covered essential aspects of financial management.
The areas covered included psychological barriers to financial planning, cash flow management, money mindset, investment planning, and debt control.
Ogbuku noted that the initiative arose from the need to address growing financial challenges among the Commission’s staff, which required equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure their financial stability and freedom from debt.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stressed that financial instability not only affects personal well-being but also impacts productivity and organizational integrity.
He stated that financial independence does not happen by chance but requires discipline, knowledge, and healthy financial habits.
“That is what this training is all about—giving you the tools and strategies to make those choices, to take control of your financial destiny,” he said.
Ogbuku added that the training was a critical aspect of the NDDC’s Rewind to Rebirth initiative, which aimed to recalibrate the Commission’s engagement with the Niger Delta region.
“By fostering a financially literate and resilient workforce, we are better positioned to drive sustainable development and effectively implement our intervention strategies in the region.
“By investing in your financial literacy and empowerment, we are not only enhancing your personal well-being but also strengthening the NDDC’s capacity to fulfill its mission,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, explained that the training program was meticulously designed to provide NDDC staff with the knowledge and tools to manage their finances and eliminate debt.
He said, “Your financial health is integral to our success as an organization that is dedicated to driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.”
The Executive Director also mentioned that one of the reasons for the training was the recent increase in staff members’ deaths, attributed to cardiac issues that may have arisen from financial stress due to unpaid loans.
He advised staff to manage their funds prudently, avoid reckless spending, and refrain from unhealthy competition with each other.
He also emphasized the importance of setting achievable goals and planning for retirement while still active in their duties, as it would be beneficial in the future.
Giving a lecture on health, Dr. Richard Okoye, Chief Executive Officer of Save A Life Mission Hospital, reiterated the importance of good health for workers, advising that it should be taken seriously.
“Money is good, but when your health is down, you can’t enjoy the money,” he said.
While pointing out the need for regular health check-ups, he noted that if health issues are left untreated and deteriorate, money may no longer be able to resolve the situation.
“If our health is not properly taken care of and deteriorates to a certain extent, it can lead to disastrous consequences,” he warned.
