By Wilson Macaulay

Copyright independent

…Prof Hope Eghagha To Lead Lagos Chapter As Chairman

The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amb. Goodknows Igali says the forum was putting ideas together for the establishment of the South-South Investment Fund to safeguard the economic interests of the oil-rich region. Delta state tourism packages

Igali also called on the people, especially political and traditional leaders, of the region to unite and speak with one voice for the common interest and development of the region.

The PANDEF boss spoke while inaugurating the Lagos chapter of the body with renowned academia and former Delta State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, as its chairman.

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He lamented that the Niger Delta, despite feeding other regions and being responsible for the transformation of Lagos and Abuja, has remained underdeveloped, even from the time of the pre-colonial era.

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity of the PANDEF, Chief (Dr.) Obiuwevbi Ominimini, Igali emphasized the need for the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu to focus on the development of the region.

“We have decided to raise funds for investment to be called the South South Investment Fund, where some of our people can invest in the oil and non-oil sectors. We must save to invest.

“The marginalization of the Niger Delta people even before independence, which led to our leaders protesting to London. This led to the delay of Nigeria’s independence and the setting up of The Willink’s Commission.

“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 and that we couldn’t talk because of the fear of guns but that 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.”, the statement noted.

The PANDEF boss further disclosed that the forum has also concluded arrangements to organize the Niger Delta cultural Festival in Lagos to showcase that the people of the region remained united in the struggle for a better deal for the region

“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.

“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”, he further added.

Responding on behalf of the Lagos chapter exco, Prof. Eghagha, commended the national leadership of PANDEF for inaugurating the forum, stressing that they shall join forces to demand the rapid development and economic emancipation of the people of the region.

He berated the continued neglect of the seaports in the Niger Delta and the non-completion of the East-West Roads by successive administrations.

Eghagha also slammed the federal government for the abandonment of the Ogidigben EPZ gas project, saying the project would have opened opportunities for the people of the region and development of the rich gas deposit in the country.

The former Delta State Commissioner for Education also lamented the selective and unjust treatment of the Okuama community in Delta, where the community was burnt down by military personnel, while detaining leaders of the community, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, in a military facility without trial, saying, “This is against the principle of justice and fair hearing.