We cannot let Deltans down- DESOPADEC MD, Askia

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Askia Ogieh has expressed the commitment of the Commission to live up to its assigned mandate, saying that the Commission is not unaware of the enormity of the challenges before it.

Ogieh stated this in Lagos while declaring open a three-day workshop for the Press and Public Affairs Department of the Commission at the Sheraton Hotel with the theme: “Building Creative Communication/Public Relations Platforms for Strategic Repositioning.”

He disclosed that human capacity development would be a key thrust of his administration stressing that “human capital resource is well grounded with fresher perspectives, current techniques and is exposed to best practises in work ethics and operational effectiveness, then excellent service delivery will come as a second nature.”

He said the training was apt as it will go a long way in re-positioning the commission as the press unit will be more empowered to communicate appropriate information about the Commission to both internal and external publics.

“We have just opened another historic chapter in the annals of this great Commission and I think you should be equally excited that we are on a voyage in charting a new course together”.

“Your department, Press and Public Affairs, is turning out to be a trailblazer and the first beneficiary to enjoy the great future we desire to achieve as Management”.

“As you can observe, I am here with our executive directors who are equally excited to see that we put in place the right structure that will drive sound mental framework to optimize staff capacity for operational efficiency, so that together we can achieve the noble goals and mandate of this great Commission”.

“Having said that, I must quickly assure you that this present management is committed to driving the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa through the legal instrumentality of the Commission, and we shall not rest on our oars until every man, woman, boy or girl across our mandate areas feel our impact. We fully understand the mandate and the enormity of the responsibilities before us and we know with clarity of purpose, and our resolute resolve to making a difference, we cannot let Deltans down”.

“Talking about making the desired impact underscores the reason why this training was put together in the first place. One of the cardinal thrusts of this management will be Human Capacity Building. It is our firm belief that, if our human capital resource is well grounded with fresher perspectives, current techniques and is exposed to best practises in work ethics and operational effectiveness, then excellent service delivery will come as a second nature”.

“You may be wondering, why the Press Unit? Let me also state unequivocally that this decision is strategic for the next direction and repositioning of the Commission. Indeed, the Commission is as good as its perception by our critical stakeholders. This underpins the need to communicate appropriate information about the Commission to both internal and external publics.  All our efforts and struggles may end up in futility if they are not properly, professionally and timely communicated with deft precision and creativity. So we have designed this very workshop to set the groundwork for a vibrant Press and Public Affairs unit with a view to enabling the department cultivate and firm up relationships with the media, master the art of crisis communication, handle all forms of reputational risk associated with dealing without publics and most important of all, building a virile image occasioned by our hard work with a view eliciting the right perceptions we deserve from our mandate areas, Deltans and Nigeria at large”.

“You will agree with me that this task is enormous; hence all hands must be on deck to actualize it. We must state that, management requires nothing but the right attitude, discipline and commitment from you all to reposition this Commission. We assure you that we will not relent on our path to give you the needed tools, training and motivation to get the work done.

“Let us write history together.  We employ you to deliver to this nation a well perceived Commission and the rest will be history as the saying goes”.