I was on a short visit to Yenagoa for a seminar and had to travel back after a few days. I did not meet him again, but I read about him regularly in the media. However, some of the things I read were in sharp contrast to the individual I thought and knew, and one met while in office. I kept looking out for him until I read that his name was submitted as one of those to head the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). I did not take much interest when he was appointed, but I looked for his number from a mutual friend and later sent him a congratulatory message. That was all. Whenever I came across anything I felt will be useful to him, I forwarded to his phone.
A few weeks later, I was on a visit to Port Harcourt and dropped by the Commission to greet my friend, Patrick. He had been appointed Director in the MD’s office and graciously volunteered to introduce me to the Managing Director. I waited for a while until he stepped out at the close of work. About nineteen persons were waiting, and the room was pretty crowded. It would be impossible to get a chance to greet him – at least so I felt. However, he stood patiently and tried to attend to everyone. I was told that he was one of the first MD (probably the only one so far) to provide the public such level of access to himself. As he listened to each person after another, he either solved the problem or referred you to the relevant officer. Finally, my friend made way for me to meet the MD to make an introduction. I waited as the Director tried to explain who I was to him. The managing director retorted and stopped my friend midway that there was no need introducing him to someone whom he knew very well. I was surprised at his recollection. Instantly, we reconnected, and he even showed the Director some of the messages I sent him on some relevant subjects. That is Samuel Ogbuku, managing director of the NDDC.
