09
Feb
Feb
PANDEF RECEIVES ROYAL BLESSINGS FROM BAYELSA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS
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Nicolas Adekeye / 4 weeks
- 0
- 3 min read
The National Executive Committee (Exco) of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Ambassador Godknows Igali, has received royal blessings from the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers. The Exco paid a courtesy visit to the council at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to intimate the royal fathers of their activities and receive their blessings. Igali In a statement, PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini Ph.D, said the visit was a significant milestone for the organization. Ambassador Igali, in addressing the royal fathers, emphasized that PANDEF belongs to the people of the South-South geopolitical zone and that the Exco is responsible for delivering the messages of the people of the region. He also stressed the unity PANDEF has brought to the region, saying “Niger Delta now speaks in one voice through PANDEF.” Ambassador Igali reiterated the need for the region to invest in agriculture, likening the Niger Delta to Vietnam, where the people have made huge investments in rice cultivation. He commended the people of the Niger Delta Region, describing them as peaceful and law-abiding. He also emphasized the need for speedy environmental cleanup of the devastated ecosystem, which may take up to 30 years to achieve. Without mincing words, Ambassador Igali stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) can stand alone instead of being merged under the Ministry of Regional Development. He also categorically stated that the next Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) must be appointed from the South-South geopolitical zone. Ominimini said that Ambassador Igali reported that he has addressed a memo to President Tinubu, duly endorsed by the Co-Chairmen of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, on the signing into law without delay of the South-South Development Commission bill as passed by the National Assembly. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed happiness to receive the PANDEF Exco. He urged the Exco to develop a new strategy capable of bringing development and preventing others from taking undue advantage of Niger Deltans. He presented two of his published books, including an award-winning book, to PANDEF through Ambassador Igali. Ominimini stated that HRM King Dakolo emphasized the fact that the Niger Delta has fed Nigeria for over 60 years but has nothing to show for it. However, he expressed confidence in the Igali-led Exco, saying they are people of high scorecards capable of making a difference to attract development to the region.
