Olufemi Ogunyemi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has attributed the increasing visibility and transformation of Nigeria’s free trade zones to a greater partnership with the media. Ogunyemi made this known as he received the Award of Exemplary Leadership Qualities in Public Service from the Association of Corporate Online Editors.
At the award presentation ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday, Ogunyemi spoke about his long-standing involvement with journalism, revealing that he was a writer for legendary journalist Sam Amuka before his appointment by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He did a weekly column called The Pain Doctor for approximately three years and said it was an experience that impacted his understanding of the media’s role in nation-building and public communication.
“Before the President appointed me here, I was writing articles for Sam Amuka which many people don’t know. Google ‘The Pain Doctor’ and you will find three years “I wrote a column there every week,” Ogunyemi said.
The NEPZA boss said when he assumed office three years ago, the agency was managing over 63 free trade zones, around 700 firms and roughly 600 people across the country but was mostly unknown by many Nigerians despite its huge contribution to economic progress.
He said one of his early aims was to improve media involvement, to raise public knowledge of the agency’s work and the strategic significance of free trade zones in attracting investments, creating jobs and driving industrial development.
“When I came into NEPZA three years ago, these zones were doing a lot of great work for the country but the public did not know about it. We understood we had to draw the media closer,” he said.
Ogunyemi expressed appreciation to the media outfits and journalists for their support in projecting the achievements of NEPZA and educating the public on the economic prospects in Nigeria’s free trade zones.
Shola Akingboye, Chairman of ACOE, in presenting the award, characterized Ogunyemi as a visionary leader whose commitment to excellence, honesty and innovation has favorably influenced the free trade zone sector and national development.
Akingboye noted that the award presentation was a follow up on the association’s investiture ceremony last November which Ogunyemi could not attend.
He said the NEPZA boss has distinguished himself in the effective management of the authority and continuous efforts towards expanding investment opportunities, enhancing economic growth and strengthening the performance of free trade zones in the country.
“You have always demonstrated outstanding leadership with commitment, integrity and a progressive attitude to public service,” Akingboye added.
In response, Ogunyemi said he was grateful for the recognition and that he does not usually accept awards because of his hectic schedule but he had made an exception this time because of the integrity of the association and his respect for the media industry.
“I take this very seriously and that’s why I’m here. I pray that we continue to work together to make our country better, he remarked.
The award recognized Ogunyemi’s leadership at NEPZA and the deepening relationship between the authority and the media in the promotion of investment, industrialisation and economic development in Nigeria.
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