The Director-General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Dr. Benjamin Essien Okiemute, has advocated selfless leadership, integrity and service to humanity, urging public office holders and emerging leaders to place the common good above personal interests.
Okiemute made the call when he received a Meritorious Service Award from The Forward News Media in recognition of his contributions to public service, institutional reforms, road safety and transformational leadership.
THE FORWARD NEWS MEDIA WITH HON.DR. BENJAMIN OKIEMUTE ESSIEN
DIRECTOR GENERAL DELTA STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DURING AN INTERVIEW SESSION IN HIS OFFICE
The DESTMA helmsman spoke during an exclusive interview with The Forward News Media, led by its Publisher, Comrade Vivien Okafor, at the agency’s headquarters in Asaba, Delta State.
The DG said leadership should not be judged by personal accomplishments or the positions occupied by individuals, but by the positive and lasting impact made on the lives of the people.
He said “public office is a sacred trust and should be approached as an opportunity to serve the people rather than a platform for personal enrichment or recognition”.
He reflected on his career journey, spanning his service in the Nigerian Navy, political experience in the Delta State House of Assembly and his current stewardship of DESTMA, noting that discipline, resilience, integrity and selfless service had remained the guiding principles of his career.
He further stressed that leaders must be willing to make sacrifices and uphold integrity if they are to build institutions capable of serving present and future generations.
According to him “My greatest ambition is not personal recognition, but to leave behind institutions that are stronger, more professional and better positioned to serve future generations,”.
He also highlighted some of the reforms undertaken since he assumed office as DESTMA Director-General, including the modernisation of the agency’s facilities, improved welfare for personnel, deployment of technology-driven enforcement and the establishment of specialised operational units.
He said the reforms were designed to improve operational efficiency, strengthen accountability and enhance the agency’s capacity to effectively manage traffic and promote road safety across the state.
THE FORWARD NEWS MEDIA PUBLISHER, COMRADE VIVIEN OKAFOR, PRESENTING A MERITORIOUS SERVICE HONOUR TO HON.DR. BENJAMIN OKIEMUTE ESSIEN.
DIRECTOR GENERAL, DELTA STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
While receiving the award, Okiemute expressed appreciation to The Forward News Media for the recognition, describing it as both an honour and a renewed call to greater service.
He said the recognition had reinforced his responsibility to remain committed to the ideals of professionalism, accountability and service to humanity.
Okiemute maintained that lasting legacies are not built through titles or accolades, but through sacrifice, integrity and the willingness to put the interests of society above personal considerations.
He therefore urged leaders, particularly those occupying public positions and young people aspiring to leadership, to cultivate values that would enable them to make meaningful contributions to society and leave behind institutions that would continue to benefit generations yet unborn.
