** * As Sultan, Ooni admonish politicians on peaceful co-existence
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently not impressed by the hijacking of the resources of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) by 36 state governors, the former Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and one-time Nigeria’s Energy Minister (Petroleum & Power), the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, His Majesty King Dr. Edmund Maduabebo Daukoru, has said that the continued operation of the third tier of government has become a drain on national resources instead of being development centers and the foundation of national economic production.
The Royal Father spoke on Thursday at a Public Lecture on the theme: “The imperative of Energy Security for Accelerated Rural Development: A Special Case of the Niger Delta Region” / Public Presentation of Two Books chronicling his enormous contributions in the oil and gas industry which was part of the four-part activities marking his 80th Birthday Celebration at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
According to him, the purpose of creating the 774 LGAs in Nigeria has been defeated because of how the lower strata of government has been ran especially since the past two decades, if not tree, just as they have become a drain on national resources instead of being development centers and the foundation of national economic production.
Said he: “Nigeria has 774 LGAs which are recognised in the Constitution, and are part of the budgeting process of the states.
“Their functionality and economic well-being is a prime responsibility of the states. But since the past two decades, if not tree, they have become a drain on national resources instead of being development centers and the foundation of national economic production.
“Thus, after all is said and done , it is these empty shells of the economic dream of the mid-seventies that the kings in the present time have to oversee in some form or other”.
“The burden on us varies according to the local circumstances. I complain about mine, but we labour on in love, regardless, knowing that others may be even worse of”.
The Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom who cut his 80th Birthday cake at the occasion in Abuja was full of gratitude to a large number of his brother traditional rulers from across the six geo-political regions of Nigeria for rallying round him at the well-attended event.
He said that the presence of over 25 respected Royal Fathers including the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjájá II and His Majesty king (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja JP, Jeki V, Treaty king, Amayanabo And Natural Ruler Of Opobo Kingdom, shows the love his colleagues across Nigeria have for him.
HRM Daukoru, an Alumnus of Imperial College, London, also asked his guests to oblige him whenever he calls on them to support his kingdom, saying “please don’t be surprised if I come around again soon, lobbying some of you to assist in the launching of the next phase of development of my kingdom, which will encompass a gas-turbine, integrated farming and fish culture; land reclamation and large-scale reticulated water system; among others- just pushing my goodwill some more”.
Speaking earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Chairman of Occasion, HM King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja JP, said the celebrant is a friend you can trust, stressing that he is a man that has served humanity and has held top position including Secretary-General of OPEC.
He also said he on behalf of the octogenarians welcome HRM Daukoru to the Class of 80s and wished him long life.
Meanwhile, two prominent Nigerian traditional rulers, Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife have berated Nigerian political elites for preaching hate and division, admonishing them to follow the footsteps of the traditional rulers in nation-building.
Sultan of Sokoto in his Goodwill Message said anyone who is in doubts that traditional institution in Nigeria is not united should have been in the hotel hall on the day to see the array of respected traditional rulers from across six geo-political regions of Nigeria who attended the event.
He praised the celebrant, saying he is an upright man who has been everywhere in the world and wish him more 80yrs on earth.
In his own speech, the Ooni of Ife said the celebrant has a touch of professionalism inherent in him, arguing that he said he should be called “Mingi of the Universe” and thanked his wife, Queen Gladys Daukoru for being with the king.
An emotional Ooni of Ife later charged King Daukuro to stand up to greet his fellow kings who left their kingdoms to celebrate him in Abuja.
“Your Majesty, please look around, you will see kings from the South, East, North and West. This is Nigeria and we are one people. Our politicians will come and go but traditional rulers will stay.
“We have no other country than Nigeria and we traditional rulers should use a forum like this to tell politicians how to be one nation”, Oba Ogunwusi stated. READ ALSO:
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Among the dignitaries who attended the event are representatives of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state; Professor Magnus Kpakol; Major General Chris Abutu Garuba (rtd); Professor Sylvester Odion Akaine who was the Book Reviewer and the author, Sir Charles Ogan.
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of new brand Prado SUV keys to HRM Daukuro by top officials of Platform Petroleum Limited, Operator of Egbaoma field OML 38 led by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chairman of the company.
