The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, was on Saturday conferred with a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa at the 8th convocation of the Imo State University, Owerri.
The award is said to be in recognition of his 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, NCDMB said in a statement yesterday.
The award was received on his behalf by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Patrick Daziba Obah, who dedicated it to the management and staff of the Board for their excellent performance on their job functions and accomplishments, which continue to receive positive reviews from government and other industry stakeholders, it added.
In attendance at the event were important personalities, including the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha, as well as the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze.
In the citation on 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.
In 2017, under his steer, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board developed a 10-Year Strategic Road Map with the key objectives of achieving 70% Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry; and creating 300,000 direct jobs…
Career achievements
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.”
Continuing, the citation reads: “In 2017, under his steer, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board developed a 10-Year Strategic Road Map with the key objectives of achieving 70% Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry; and creating 300,000 direct jobs.
“Others are 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.”
The statement reads further: “In honouring Wabote, the authorities of Imo State 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.
“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.”
This honorary doctorate degree comes in the wake of several other national and international recognitions bestowed on the Executive Secretary and the Board in recent months, including the Board being adjudged as “a Level 5 Platinum Level organization” in a summary report of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) Self-assessment Tool (SAT).
The Board recently included the conferment of the Distinguished Capacity Development Award conferred on Wabote by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022, and the recognition accorded to NCDMB as the best among all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the Executive Order (EO1) performance ranking for Ease of Doing Business from January to June 2022.
