*Recalls how Niger Delta became a region through past leaders’ effort
By Victor Lewis
Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF’s National Chairman, Amb Godknows Igali has charged Niger Deltans to be united and speak with one voice with a view to achieving a common and purposeful goal for the overall development of the region.
In a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the call was made by the national chairman recently on the occasion of the inauguration of the Lagos chapter executive of the Forum.
Igali charged all ethnic nationalities that make up the oil-rich region of the country to unite and cooperate among themselves and speak with one voice, emphasizing that “the marginalization of the Niger Delta people even before independence led to our leaders protesting to London.” “This led to the delay of the Nigeria independence and the setting up of Willink’s Commission”, the national chairman noted.
While emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation among the various ethnic nationalities, the National Chairman also stressed that the Forum was working for the overall interest and development of the region, adding that PANDEF belongs to all Niger Deltans.
“PANDEF belongs to all Niger Deltans. It did not belong to National exco. We are only working for all Niger Deltans”, Igali explained.
“We can tell our children that at a time, some soldiers seized powers and gave 44 LGAs and over 24 House of Reps to Kano state but gave only 8 LGAs and 5 house of Reps to Bayelsa state”, he noted, adding that “we couldn’t talk because of the fear of guns.”.
He however stated that under the present situation, “We can’t tell our children that in a democratic era such as this, that we couldn’t speak to the powers that be over our plights and the marginalization of the Region.
“It is on this basis that we must have unity and speak with one voice instead of speaking separately as Urhobo, Ijaw, itsekiri, Ndokwa, Ibibio Anang, Oron, Efik, Ijagham, Edo, Ishan or Isoko, Ogini etc,” Igali added.
The national chairman recalled that “Midwest state was not given to our people on the platter of gold. Our leaders fought for it”, stating further that “We must imbibe the spirit of our past leaders which was handed over to us by our late leader, Chief Edwin Clark who was given the mantle of leadership at the formation of PANDEF which had eminent Niger Deltans including First Class Monarchs like Oba of Benin, Orodje of Okpe, Olu of Warri, Obong of Calaba, Agadagba of Egbema in the year 2016 to lead the Forum”.
The National Chairman also recalled how PANDEF visited the Nigeria President Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja, and handed over the Region’s 16-point demands to Mr. President, noting that the Lagos chapter of the Forum “shall be like a global organization after inauguration more so as it shall be led by world-acclaimed a scholar, Prof Hope Eghagha”.
“We shall, in no distance time organize a Niger Delta cultural festival that may take place in Lagos, and the country shall see that we have unity in Niger Delta. Our oil was used to develop Lagos and Abuja to our detriment. No land is better than Niger Delta for agriculture”, Igali said.
The PANDEF chairman further disclosed that the group has decided to attract investment to the region by way of raising funds tagged South South Investment Fund, adding that Niger Deltans have the opportunity to invest into the development of the region.
“We have decided to raise funds for investment to be called South South investment fund, where some of our people can invest in the oil and non oil sector. We must save to invest”, he added
Ambassador Igali reeled out the list of eminent Niger Deltans who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Forum to its present enviable status today.
“PANDEF, from the beginning, had eminent persons such as Gen Minima, a former chief of Army staffs as River State chapter Chairman; Late Solomon Arase, former IGP as the chairman of the Edo state chapter; Prof G.G Darah as Chairman of Delta State, Sen Henshaw as the state chairman of Cross River; Late Dokpola, piloting the affairs of Bayelsa State with Late Air Cdr Idongesit Ikanga, a former Governor as the National Chairman”, the national chairman noted.
He said, “Though we may not be able to wear the shoes Late Chief Edwin Clark left behind but that we shall continue to try our best even if it means bearing them with our hands”.
Responding, on behalf of the Lagos based Niger Deltans, Prof Hope Eghagha lamented the pitiable negligence of the Seaports in Niger Delta and the East West Road, abandoned Ogidigben EPZ gas project and the unjust treatment of the Opuama community in Delta which was burnt down by military command after arresting several persons who have been detained to date without trial, “This is against the principle of justice and fair hearing”, the meeting noted.
The house also called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the constitutional and democratically elected Governor of Rivers state, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, is reinstalled to the office without further delay.
The interim exco for Lagos state was put in place with and it included:
1. Prof Hope Eghagha from Delta State as Chairman.
2. Chief Patrick Iyang from Cross River state as Deputy chairman
3. Prince Emnanuel Abderson Ogan from Rivers state as secretary
4. Sylvester Ebhodaghe from Edo state as Publicity Secretary &
5. IWekumo Idris from Bayelsa as a woman leader
They were inaugurated by the Natiinal Chairman on behalf of the Pandef Board of Trustees and Nation executive committee by the National Chairman Amb Godknows Igali.
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