Traditional rulers across the country on Thursday, October 12 converged on Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory FCT to felicitate with one of their own, King Edmund Daukoru FIC, CON, Mingi Xll , Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom on his 80th birthday .
The event which took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel had a roll call of very important dignitaries including the Sultan of Sokoto, Emirs, Ooni of Ife and others some representing their geopolitical zones,others their states and own stools , captains of industry as well as current and serving officials of government.
The event was also used to unveil the biography of Mingi Xll in a book entitled ” Leaps of Legacy”.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, King Dandison Jaja, Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom described King Daukoru as a dependable ally, an erudite gentleman, one who has done so much for his people.
The King of Opobo recalled that he met the celebrant when he (Jaja) turned 70 and since then,both of them have remained close friends adding ” he knew how to cultivate friendship “He prayed for the continuation of energy to enable him do the good work he is doing.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar lll said he did not hesitate to write the foreword of the Biography of Mingi Xll because he knew him well saying that the gathering of people showed the personality of the Nembe monarch.
The Sultan also spoke on the importance of History urging ” We must go through the histories of this country.”
Making his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwisi said King Daukoru is the “Mingi of the Universe” explaining that the Amanyanabo of Nembe is not only a natural builder, but a traditional ruler with a touch of class.
The Ooni described the celebrant as a unifier who was able to bring the traditional institution together.
He said that the traditional institution is a key segment of the country which, unlike politicians remain as custodians of their traditional culture adding that there should be more of such gatherings to better the country.
“We are all very proud of you. We do not have any other country. This is our country. We traditional rulers should use forums like this for the betterment of our country “
Also speaking, the Author of the book, Prince Charles Ogan said he learnt a lot about Mingi Xll while working on the project .
Ogan, a renowned journalist and researcher who took a quote by EJ Allagoa, “the past may be dead but you cannot bury it.” said the book Leaps of Legacy “is our modest contribution to reconstruct the past and take our national history a step forward”
“Leaps of Legacy is an engaging account of the life of King Dr. Edmund Daukoru. It is at once a detailed biographic volume of the king, and a unique visual history of Nembe Kingdom- exploring the past, present and future of the kingdom and celebrating its rich diversity, opportunity and transformation. Nembe is one of the ancient City-States of the Niger Delta and one of the eight Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. Over the years, Nembe rose from being a trading outpost for dealing with European traders, to emerge as a centre of knowledge and western civilization, producing some of Nigeria’s early finest brains and technocrats such as the late frontline nationalist Ernest Sisei Ikoli from Twon-Brass, who was the first Editor of Daily Times among others.”
Delivering his address, Nigerian Economist and Guest Speaker, Magnus Kpakol Executive Chairman, Economic Growth and Development Center, called for a deliberate effort of government to develop the Niger Delta region of the country.
Kpakol , who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Chief Strategist at the Economic and Business Strategies said this while delivering a lecture on the “Imperative of Energy Security for Accelerated Rural Development: Special Case of the Niger Delta.”
While extending his goodwill to the celebrator, he said the Octogenarian was able to bring different calibers of people together to celebrate him because of his high capital investment.
He said Nigeria cannot be successful without the development of the Niger Delta because that is where the major resources of the country are.
“So, there must be an intentional approach to develop the Niger Delta for the nation to develop,”he said.
According to Kpakol, human capital is key to economic development.
He urged stakeholders to pay attention to this to succeed, as no country had become self sufficient without human capital development.
On electrification, he said about 600 million sub saharan poor Africans lacked access to electricity.
Kpakol said to achieve rural electrification in the country, there must be a deliberate and purposeful move to institutionalise human capital..
The Book Reviewer,Prof. Odione Ikaine gave an insight into the book .
According to him,” Leaps of Legacy” which is a biography of Mingi Xll contains 13 chapters from his early days to his sojourn in the oil industry where he laid the foundation of the industry and,assumed leadership position . He said the monarch rolled out a number of good policies for the development of the industry and even guarded the Niger Delta Master Plan
In his response, Mingi Xll expressed gratitude for the large turn out and hoped ” this type of variety would go to other areas too.
Looking at the trends in politics, the king said” Politics is about finding better grounds not a source of rivalry or destruction.”
He said the results of his achievements “are not man,-made and urged the process of” sowing the seed diligently and allow God to do the harvest “
The Mingi Xll stressed the importance of diligence,hardwork and honesty as the tonic for good results saying to the Western world, what matters is result not effort.
He added that the lack of such virtues is what has pushed the country backwards
Some of the Highlights of the event included the launch of” Leaps of Legacy” traditional beats and Presentation of a brand new Prado jeep to the celebrant by Platform Petroleum
The celebration would be rounded off with a special communion thanksgiving service at St Luke’s Cathedral, Nembe on Sunday, October 15,2023 presided over by the Rt Rev’d Dr Nixon.A. Enekeme, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta West, Church of Nigeria ( Anglican communion).
