NCDMB hosts Q1 2026 book reading series, promotes reading culture, innovation
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has underscored the importance of reading, creativity, and intellectual development as critical drivers of national growth, as it hosted the first quarter 2026 edition of its Book Reading Series.
The event, held on Wednesday at the Board’s Conference Centre, featured former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as Guest Author.
The session focused on Peterside’s 2025 publication, Leading in a Storm: Practical Leadership Strategies in Crisis Situations, and attracted a wide audience comprising participants from higher institutions, the media, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), alongside virtual attendees.
In a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, described the Book Reading Series as a “signature event” that reflects one of the Board’s core values, creativity.
Ogbe explained that the initiative forms part of the Board’s broader strategy to foster intellectual engagement among stakeholders and enhance the capacity of Nigerians to operate productively within the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.
He highlighted several NCDMB interventions aimed at advancing research and technology, including the establishment of six Centres of Excellence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. These include centres at Niger Delta University, Amassoma, focusing on Marine and Petrochemical Technologies; Federal University of Technology, Minna (Engineering Design); and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Local Raw Materials Substitution).
Others are Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, with emphasis on Safety and Environment Studies; Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto (Renewable Energy); and Federal University of Technology, Akure (Geology and Geophysical Studies).
Additional facilities include a Geosciences Research Centre at the University of Lagos and a Marine and Offshore Training Centre at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. The latest initiative is the Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University, Abraka, being developed in partnership with Seplat Energy Plc.
Ogbe further disclosed that the Board, in collaboration with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), is organising the maiden Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO). The competition, launched on November 20, 2025, in Abuja, is expected to conclude in April 2026 and aims to inspire innovation among final-year and postgraduate engineering students.
During the book conversation segment, moderated by Victor Binawari, Peterside said his work was inspired by personal experiences in leadership and governance, particularly during periods of crisis.
He noted that Nigerians contend with various forms of crises daily, which often expose weaknesses in leadership. Drawing from his tenure in public service, including his time in the National Assembly and as NIMASA Director-General, he cited challenges such as fuel supply disruptions, maritime piracy, and the global COVID-19 pandemic as key influences behind the book.
According to him, effective crisis leadership requires qualities such as calmness, clarity, adaptability, and resilience. He outlined eight core competencies for leaders, including contextual intelligence, calm confidence, sense-making, strategic decision-making, clear communication, strategic flexibility, teamwork coordination, and continuous learning.
Peterside added that his storytelling approach makes leadership principles more relatable and practical for readers.
In his closing remarks, the Supervisor, Corporate Communications Division of NCDMB, Teleola Oyeleke, appreciated the guest author for sharing his insights and encouraged participants to cultivate a reading culture and embrace personal development initiatives.
The NCDMB Book Reading Series remains a key platform for promoting intellectual discourse and strengthening capacity development within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and beyond.
