Niger Delta
2019: Duke To Run For Presidency
Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, has indicated he may be interested in running for President in the 2019 general elections.
According to a media report, the former governor declared his interest for the job at the 3rd Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture titled: “Millennials As Protagonists In Nation Building” in Abuja last Sunday. Mr Duke who served as Cross River State governor between 1999 and 2007 explained that he would only start the process at “the right time and circumstance.”
“I am entitled to run for the presidency of this country. I am entitled to it. Only on right circumstances, I will aspire for it. I don’t shy away from responsibility, only the right circumstance, I will aspire for the presidency of this country. I have what it takes to be president of this country.” he said.
Duke, however, challenged the youth to be active participants in the electoral process by getting their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, and sensitising others ahead of the general elections in 2019, rather than “loafing around, looking for who to heap their problems on”.
The former governor also noted that the country once had young leadership in its first republic. “It was high time Nigerians began to project people with the technical know-how to take the country to the Promised Land”.
He said, “I hear young people say to me that why would they spend hours queuing and casting their votes when at the end their votes won’t count.
And I tell that if their parents conceived them and never gave up on them considering the high mortality rate so why would they not take a chance in building this nation? We had young leadership at one stage or the other.
Even in our first republic, besides the likes of Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, M. T. Mbu was in his twenties when he became a minister. Gowon was 30 when he became the head of state. It comes back to the disaster therein because most of them didn’t have experience in governance, which led us into war.
We need the combination of both. What I think we should be doing is to ensure a government that is youth friendly to provide opportunities because we need to groom the next set of leadership.”
Mr Duke, also took time to lament the recent deaths of Nigerian migrants on the Mediterranean sea, slavery in Libya, job loss and the rate of unemployment in Nigeria. “I don’t know what a definition of the failed state is and I don’t want to categorise Nigeria as a failed state yet, however, a state that was unable to provide for its people has faded up.
So, if we are not there yet, we are walking with our eyes open towards it. And we need to pull the handbrake now before it gets late”, he said.
Speaking on the present administration, the ex-governor said there was the disconnection between President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet members. According to him,
“The challenge we have today is the disconnect. That is the challenge of the governance today. Because if you speak with the folks in government, and I am being candid here. I think we should be deceiving ourselves here and stop all these political correctness. There is a disconnect between the president and even the ministers”.
The Otakeme Community of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have elected the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a firm, “Renew Empire Nigeria”, Engr. Gospel Obolo as its new paramount ruler.
The Tide learnt that the election was conducted after 55 years of interregnum over the stool.
Otakeme is the closest neighbouring community to Otabagi, host community of the Oloibiri Oil wells where oil and gas were first struck in commercial quantity in West Africa.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after a close door meeting with community stakeholders midweek, the monarch-elect promised to lead a consultative reign.
He, however, expressed regrets that the community which boasts of an array of intellectuals and major elites across boards had remained without a monarch for so long, and promised to partner indigenes of all walks of life from the community in the discharge of the duties of his royal office.
While pleading with stakeholders and community elites to consolidate on the existing peace in the community, he added that already he has initiated a consultation tour of major cities and towns across the country to meet with indigene of the community in the diaspora.
“It’s sad that our community, Otakeme, has been without a king for 55 years. Otakeme is supposed to be one of the communities in Ogbia that others should emulate in terms of communal living, but regrettably we’ve lost a lot due to disunity which resulted in the absence of a paramount ruler for this long number of years.
“We’ve begun a diaspora consultation with stakeholders to solidify our unity and continue on the path of development. There is a lot to do for our people, and I want to assure everyone from the community that we’ll work together to develop Otakeme community”, he said.
Meanwhile, the monarch-elect has called on youths of the community to maintain peace and tranquility, saying his emergence signals a new era of innovation, peace, development and unity in the ancient community.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has honoured 78 members of staff with Long Service Awards in recognition of their dedication, loyalty and invaluable contributions to the growth of the intervention agency and the development of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at the award ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said staff welfare remains a central priority of the Board and Management, describing employees as the institutional memory and driving force of the Commission.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, Ogbuku congratulated the recipients for their years of meritorious service and commended them for their commitment, which, he said, had contributed significantly to the Commission’s achievements over the years.
He noted that the awards were not only a celebration of longevity in service, but also a recognition of the dedication, professionalism and mentorship demonstrated by the recipients in helping to strengthen the Commission.
“The awardees have devoted decades of their lives to the NDDC, mentoring younger colleagues and playing vital roles in addressing the challenges confronting the Commission.
“Today, we celebrate your dedication, loyalty and commitment to service”, he said.
Ogbuku added: “We are proud of your achievements and grateful for your immense contributions. Each of you has helped shape our processes and our success story. We thank you for investing your talents and time in advancing the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.”
Also speaking, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, praised the award recipients for serving the Commission and the Niger Delta with distinction, noting that the recognition reflected years of exemplary service, unwavering commitment and professional excellence.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Awele Chukwudifu, expressed appreciation to the Executive Management for the recognition, describing the award as a source of motivation and encouragement.
She said the honour would inspire staff to remain committed to the Commission’s mandate of driving sustainable development across the Niger Delta region while sustaining excellence in service delivery.
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Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has said he his committed to defending Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
He said no amount of intimidation, political persecution or propaganda would deter him from pursuing what he described as the collective struggle to rescue the nation’s democratic values.
In a lengthy message of appreciation to his supporters, Dickson expressed gratitude to the people of Bayelsa West, Bayelsa State, the Ijaw Nation, and Nigerians at home and abroad for their steadfast support, solidarity and prayers throughout what he called his political journey to strengthen the country’s opposition.
The senator said for the past eight months he had remained away from home while focusing on building the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he described as “the biggest national opposition party” in Nigeria.
He credited the party’s rapid growth to the commitment of its members, candidates and political partners, particularly the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“I thank God Almighty for His grace and strength. I also thank our party officers at every level and Nigerians across political divides for their confidence, trust and unwavering support”, Dickson said.
He stated that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected, insisting that the survival of a vibrant multi-party system was essential to the country’s future.
According to him, ongoing legal battles and what he termed “contrived anti-democratic shenanigans” would ultimately fail, expressing confidence that the judiciary would uphold the rule of law and resist attempts to undermine democratic institutions.
The former governor also accused unnamed political figures whom he said he had helped to attain positions of authority of turning against him by allegedly weaponising state institutions, removing political opponents from office, victimising innocent citizens and spreading propaganda.
Despite what he described as nearly seven years of sustained persecution against him, his family and supporters, Dickson said the loyalty of his followers had remained unshaken.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace politics driven by ideas, conviction and principles rather than personal gain, appointments or what he called “stomach infrastructure.”
He said the enduring legacy he hoped to leave behind was a generation courageous enough to reject injustice, defend truth and demand accountability from leaders.
Dickson announced plans to return to Bayelsa in the coming weeks alongside the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, to personally appreciate party members and supporters across the state.
He called on citizens to reject violence and intimidation, urging them instead to participate actively in peaceful democratic processes and protect the sanctity of their votes.
The senator warned that politicians who relied on intimidation, abuse of state institutions and violence would ultimately be rejected by the electorate.
Reflecting on his political career, Dickson said he had weathered nearly two decades of investigations, allegations, political conspiracies and intimidation, yet continued to emerge stronger.
He argued that despite governing Bayelsa during a period marked by severe economic recession, his administration recorded lasting achievements across critical sectors and laid a solid foundation for the state’s development.
“I have seen it all and survived it all. The God who has stood by me has not abandoned me. He remains on His throne, watching and judging the actions of all men”, he declared.
Dickson concluded by praying for God’s continued blessings upon the NDC, Bayelsa State and Nigeria, while expressing confidence that justice, democracy and the will of the people would ultimately prevail.