There were many stars in the sky at the Balmoral Hall of Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos venue of the New Telegraph Awards on Saturday November 17, but only one sun whose brilliant blaze dimmed the rest. This was none other than Nsima Udo Ukere, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) who scooped the highly coveted Corporate Leadership Award.

During a tasteful ceremony witnessed by some giants of the social game and very influential Nigerians including Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu,  Chief Dan Chukwudozie of Dozzy Group, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the NDDC head honcho was honoured for his capable leadership of one of the most critical agencies in the country.

At an event with no shortage of capable and qualified people in attendance, that Ekere was deemed the only suitable one to bag the leadership award for the second year running speaks volumes of the incredible impact and transformation he has wrought since assuming the mantle of NDDC boss.

Starting off on somewhat of a rocky terrain, his incredible work ethic and dedication to his role gradually converted skeptics to supporters, and envious glances to admiring ones. Through it all he remains down to earth and unassuming. He keeps his head when everyone else is losing theirs, and always strives to be a rock of calm in a raging corporate sea.

This was reflected during his acceptance speech. Far from carrying his shoulders high like a flattered peacock, Dr Ekere showered the management and staff of the New Telegraph with gratitude for deeming him worthy of the accolade for the second straight year. He promised not to spare any efforts in living up to the honour by doing his best to utilize the resources of the federal agency to transform the Niger Delta.

The sterling qualities of Dr Ekere have long made him the toast of his native Akwa-Ibom and the Niger Delta region at large. It therefore came as no surprise when the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress settled on the Charismatic native of Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya Clan in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area as the party’s governorship flagbearer. Joyful pandemonium broke out on the heels of the announcement as the political circuits of the state went berserk with undisguised glee.