Jonathan appoints Itotenaan Henry Ogiri as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at NDDC

Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, PhD, is President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s nominee as Executive Director of Finance and Administration to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), reminding one of a career spanning academia, public service and professional practice.

The appointment charges Ogiri with the oversight of the financial and administrative processes of the commission, which is one office that has substantial power to drive regional development processes throughout the Niger Delta.

Ogiri, Gregory was born in 1965 in Rivers State, Okolomade Odual. His public service record includes election into the Rivers State House of Assembly, where he represented in the 5th Assembly (2003–2007) and the 6th Assembly (2007–2011).

His years of legislature brought contribution to governance and public finance discourse at the state level, paving the way for executive responsibilities of the future.

Educational credentials making up his appointive path are extensive. Ogiri possessed a Higher Diploma in Accounting, Plateau School of Accounting & Management Studies, Jos, BA (Hons) in Accounting & Financial Management, University of Sunderland, UK, and an MBA, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

He also carried out advanced studies with an MSc and PhD in Accounting, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom.

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ogiri is also a visiting fellow at Leeds Beckett University and a guest lecturer for the Centre for Governance, Leadership and Global Responsibility.

His career portfolio has extensive working experience in commercial and public sector organizations, where he has a track record of delivering research at conferences across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

Aside from academic and administrative works, Ogiri is also a writer and researcher, and also an athlete who plays table tennis. He is married with children, and this aspect speaks to the priority he places on his family along with work requirements.

In the future, peers look forward to Ogiri leveraging his double exposure to public administration and academia to promote financial accountability and better financial governance in the Niger Delta region, as well as mentor future generations of accountants and public leaders.