Home: Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria. Age: 59. Birthplace: Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Profession: Oil and gas professional. Organization/Title: Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), 1991-2016, General Manager/Executive Director; Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), 2016-2023, CEO, Executive Secretary. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Mrs. Sotonye Wabote. Alma mater: Stella Maris College; University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt (BSc); Leeds Metropolitan University United Kingdom (MSc).
Current project: Retired, but consulting for organizations. Recent recognition: Best Performing MDA in Nigeria. Best capacity building Chief Executive, an award given by the president of Nigeria in 2015. Recent professional development: Leadership Development programs with Harvard. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Becoming CEO of NCDMB. Hobbies: Avid golfer, swimming, reading, traveling. Recent travel or adventure: Wildlife adventure in Kenya Marsi Mara. Last book read: Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy, by Adam Grant. Recently viewed and recommended: A Few Good Men, Law Abiding Citizen.
Personality profile: Decisive, witty, good communicator, orator. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Smart. Moral compass: The Bible, along with my conscience. How do you define a perfect friendship? Trust and mutual respect. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust and openness. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my children graduate with flying colors. What is your greatest fear? Old age. What is your guilty pleasure? Sleeping. What natural talent have you neglected? Effective communicating. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Lawyers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Golf pro shops. What is at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to new places. How do you relieve stress? Meditation and quiet time with friends on the golf course. What is your go-to workout? Walking while playing golf. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Golf kits and golfing.
What was your first paying job? Civil structural engineer at a bank. What was your favorite college course? Economics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Rolling a tyer along dusty streets of my community, pretending it is a car. What book have you repeatedly read? The Godfather, by Mario Puzo. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Godfather. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Pictures of my family. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My uncle, as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. What’s the best advice you received growing up? It is not about who you are, it is what you become in the future. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Hard work is the only key to success. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? AI. What is your favorite app? Email. What is your go-to source of news and information? Instagram, X and watching television and communicating with others. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Reading books. What company or organization do you most admire? Shell. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The civil war in Nigeria. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My desire to move my family out of poverty.
What is your big idea?
Turn around Nigeria and get rid of corruption.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Taking on PHD studies. What change would you like to see in the world? Peace. What message do you want to send out into the world? Messages of peace and love. What widely held belief do you reject? That leaders are born and not made. What mega-trend most excites you? Technology. What mega-trend most concerns you? Potential impact of artificial intelligence on humanity.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? From Obscurity to Prominence . What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Denzel Washington. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My wife. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A medical doctor. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My golf sets. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Praying to God Almighty for forgiveness. What advice would you give your younger self? Be very selective about the friends you make. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The delivery of my first daughter. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My early thirties.
Personal mission: To influence the education of the girl child in Nigeria. Personal motto: Always be positive, no matter the situation. Favorite quote: “If you want to travel fast, go alone; if you want to travel far, take others along” (African proverb). Desired epitaph: Here lies a man who came saw and conquered with values on family.
