By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday hosted the first quarter 2026 edition of its Book Reading Series, underscoring the importance of reading culture and creativity in national development.
The event, held at the Board’s Conference Centre (Rose 1101), featured former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, as Guest Author. Discussions centred on his 2025, 204-page publication, Leading in a Storm: Practical Leadership Strategies in Crisis Situations. The session attracted a capacity audience drawn from higher institutions, the media, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), with additional participants joining virtually.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Obinna Ezeobi, described the book reading programme as a “signature event” that reflects one of the Board’s core values—creativity.
He noted that the initiative is part of NCDMB’s broader strategy to foster intellectual engagement among stakeholders and strengthen the capacity of Nigerians to operate productively within the oil and gas industry and its linkages.
Ogbe also highlighted several research and technology advancement initiatives by the Board, including six Centres of Excellence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. These centres are located at Niger Delta University (Marine and Petrochemical Technologies), Federal University of Technology Minna (Engineering Design), Federal University of Technology Owerri (Local Raw Materials Substitution), Modibbo Adama University of Technology (Safety and Environment Studies), Usman Dan Fodio University (Renewable Energy), and Federal University of Technology Akure (Geology and Geophysical Studies).
Additional facilities include the Geosciences Research Centre at the University of Lagos and the Marine and Offshore Training Centre at Rivers State University. The Board is also developing a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University in partnership with Seplat Energy Plc.
According to Ogbe, NCDMB is collaborating with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to organise the maiden Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO). Launched on November 20, 2025, in Abuja, the competition is scheduled to conclude in April 2026 and aims to encourage innovation among final-year and postgraduate engineering students.
During the book conversation session moderated by Mr. Victor Binawari, Peterside explained that his book was inspired by real-life experiences. He noted that daily challenges faced by Nigerians often expose leadership weaknesses and highlight the need for better crisis management.
Reflecting on his time in public service, he cited his role as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Downstream Petroleum Sector and his tenure at NIMASA, where he dealt with persistent issues such as fuel supply disruptions and maritime piracy. He also referenced the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a remark from a professor at the Kellogg School of Management suggesting that Africa operates in a near-permanent state of crisis.
“I began to investigate how leaders can perform better in crisis situations,” he said, identifying calmness, clarity, adaptability, and resilience as critical leadership traits.
He outlined eight core competencies of crisis leadership: contextual intelligence, calm confidence, sense-making, strategic decision-making, clear communication, strategic flexibility, coordinated teamwork, and continuous learning.
Peterside also highlighted his storytelling approach, noting that stories are relatable, memorable, and effective in teaching practical leadership principles.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Teleola Oyeleke, Supervisor of the Corporate Communications Division at NCDMB, thanked the guest author for his contributions and encouraged participants to cultivate a reading culture and commit to personal development.
The event reaffirmed NCDMB’s commitment to intellectual growth, innovation, and capacity building within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
— Obinna Ezeobi, PhD
GM, Corporate Communications Division
April 20, 2026
