Worried by the spate of distortion on the economic development of Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria, which he claimed is orchestrated by public office holders who looted the public treasury, that has affected economic development, a clergyman, Rev. (Dr) Mike Wokoma Yeshua has proposed death sentence for any public officer that will loot the public funds.

Presenting a paper titled, servant leader indeed, at the 10 International Conference on the Niger Delta, with the theme “strengthening transparency and accountability,” organised by the Rivers Economic Development Forum (REDEF) in Port Harcourt, Rev Wokoma expressed dissatisfaction over the low level of economic development in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region. 

He said corrupt officers that do not perform and standing as a hinderance to the economic development of the people should be sacked without pay and any one that will loot the treasury that will be used for our economic development should be sentenced to death so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

The clergyman posited that Nigerians are good followers, but what is needed is a servant leader indeed, which he said will bring about the desired development that the people needed most.

According to him, the people of the Niger Delta region have suffered remarkable neglect for so long , inspite of the abundant resources that is available, but regretted that such has not been translated in to real development in the region.

He also urged government to establish a forum for the people of the region to voice out dissent on controversial issues in the society, pointing out that a servant leader defines and execute the business strategy within his domain.

Rev. Wokoma who was the former Community Relations Manager of Elf Petroleum Limited said “as a community relations manager, I did something that is remarkable and the future generation will know about what I have done in these communities.”

As a clergyman, Yeshua called for a change of heart of the people and national repentance/solemn assembly, pointing out that the problem of Nigeria is beyond the physical, and that any people that reject God can never proper.

He explained further that he has used even his small God-given position and resources as the president of Global Redemption outreach in Port Harcourt, to establish a skills acquisition centre where young people are trained and empowered on various skills such as GSM repairs computer studies, photography/video, electronics/electrical serving, hat making, fashion design, baking and confectionary, interlocking design, home economics and management, as well as interior decoration.

Earlier in his address, the president of REDEF, Austin Monday highlighted the synopsis of the organisation which he said is an assemblage of distinguished Rivers people that came together with the main objective of opening up our rural communities and empowering the people economically.

He said that the idea was driven by the desire that Rivers person, given equal opportunity, will excel in all human endeavours. The Rivers Economic Development Forum (REDEF), he said, came into existence on 30th November 1997 at the Conference Hall of NNPC in Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, and is a non governmental, non-profit organisation.

The mission of REDEF is to redefine the economic, social and poltical relevance of the people of Rivers State which is commonly referred to as “a macrocosm that is very complex of diverse language groups, culture with a very common racial identity.” Membership into the forum is controlled by academic qualification of at least a first degree in any discipline, and membership is non political.

Corlins Walter