By Elohor Foghola
WARRI/Nigeria: The newly appointed Executive Director of Projects (EDP) of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, officially assumed office today, December 11, 2024, with a resolute commitment to deliver on the Commission’s mandate.
Dr. Okorodudu was warmly received at the Commission’s headquarters in Warri by Managing Director Chief Festus Ochonoghor, Executive Director of Social Services Chief Favour Izuokumor, and other senior management staff. Addressing the gathering, he expressed gratitude to the leadership and workforce of DESOPADEC for sustaining the vision of the agency’s founders, emphasizing the Commission’s pivotal role in advancing the welfare of oil-bearing communities.
“I was a commissioner when the concept of DESOPADEC was conceived and signed into existence by then Governor Chief James Ibori, with its implementation under Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,” Dr. Okorodudu recalled. “Since then, this agency has been a robust interventionist body, promoting the interests and well-being of our oil-producing communities.”
He pledged to swiftly adapt to his new role, describing himself as a focused and results-driven leader. “The interests of the governor, the state government, the oil-producing communities, and DESOPADEC staff will remain my top priorities. Together, we will achieve significant milestones,” he stated.
During a meeting with staff, Dr. Okorodudu underscored the importance of responsibility, discipline, and integrity in carrying out their duties. “I am a workaholic, and I am here to make history by building on the progress of my predecessors,” he remarked. “Workers’ welfare will not be compromised, and I expect every one of us to embrace a culture of daily progress and excellence.”
Before settling into his office, the new EDP toured the Commission’s facilities, engaging with staff and familiarizing himself with the operational structure.
Dr. Okorodudu, an indigene of Okpara-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area, brings a wealth of experience to his role. A former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Governor James Ibori’s administration, he has held several high-profile positions, including Chairman of the State Scholarship Board, Special Project Director for upgrading 12 selected schools, and Chief of Staff to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori during his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He is also an academic, having joined the Department of Political Science at Delta State University, Abraka, in 2019. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC) and several other professional bodies, Dr. Okorodudu was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation (DPPC) before his latest appointment.
With his vast experience and a track record of public service, Dr. Okorodudu is poised to lead DESOPADEC’s project execution efforts, ensuring impactful interventions in oil-producing communities across Delta State.
