Under the aegis of Ndokwa Study Group, Dr. P. C. Obadoni’s Second Memorial Lecture was held on 18th November 2023 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Asaba with Engr. G.O.C Amuchi as Chairman of the occasion. The Guest Speaker, Prof. Maxwell Iwegbue, delivered a paper on the theme of the memorial lecture: “Ndokwa: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
The memorial lecture was well attended by prominent Ndokwa sons and daughters including:
Pharm. Paul Enebeli,
Hon. Azuka Azaka,
Mr. Davidson Okwuose
Prof. Chukwemeka Ojione Ojieh – Moderator
Dr. Bonnyface Opia – Discussant
Dr. Great Ossai – Discussant
Engr. Tech. Faith Nwadishi – Discussant
In the discussion and general comment sessions that followed the paper presentation by the Guest Speaker, the forum took a critical look at the trajectories of Ndokwa’s socio-political and economic development from the inception of Nigeria and noted that given the abundant human and natural resources in Ndokwaland, including oil and gas, Ndokwa has huge potentials for growth and development. Arising therefrom, it was resolved by the forum as follows:
- Ndokwa should not continue to dwell in the bitter past but take proactive actions to shape the future and reverse Ndokwa’s backwardness for the common good.
- Ndokwa political leaders in government, as elected or appointed political officeholders, should eschew selfish interest as well as allegiance to external political influences working against Ndokwa interest and ensure effective representation of Ndokwa in government at all levels.
- The strategic geographical location of Ndokwa as a link between the three Senatorial Districts of Delta State and between Delta State and other States in the South-South and South-East Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria should be leveraged by Ndokwa political leaders to forge mutually beneficial political alliance and re-position Ndokwa as a strong ethnic nationality to be reckoned with in Delta State in particular and Nigeria at large.
- Irrespective of political and ideological differences, Ndokwa political leaders should come together and forge a strong commitment towards working with any government in power at all levels to achieve the overall development of Ndokwa.
- The overall development of Ndokwa, including the establishment of the approved Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale, should not be left in the hands of the government alone. Rather captains of industry, the academia, charitable and well-meaning individuals of Ndokwa extraction should come together, engage and work with the government to develop the University.
- Ndokwa Neku Union should rally around our political leaders and engage the State Government to establish a state-owned University/a campus of Delta state-owned University in Ndokwaland and execute projects for the reclamation of Ndokwa coastal communities’ lands as well as the construction of a coastal road to link Oko in Oshimili South Local Government Area, with Aballa – Utchi – Okpai – Aboh – Umuolu – Ibedeni – Ase, all in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
- Similarly, our leaders should engage the authorities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)/the Federal Government and push for a strong presence of the Commission in Ndokwa by way of execution of mega projects in Ndokwaland as well as the appointment of persons of Ndokwa extraction into the membership of the Commission.
- Ndokwa communities’ development associations should resist undue political influences capable of dividing members along party lines, thereby bringing about disunity/crises and hindrances to the development of the communities.
- To stem the current tide of insecurity that is also affecting Ndokwa communities, leaders of the communities should revitalize our traditional community policing institutions as well as peace and security enforcement mechanisms.
- Ndokwa Neku Union should put measures in place, including the celebration of ‘Ndokwa Day’ to promote stronger Ndokwa Unity and ensure integration/ building of strong ties with communities of Ndokwa origin that are now in neighbouring States due to State creation.
- Ndokwa leaders in our various communities should engage and dissuade their youths from the “get-rich-quick” syndrome and the “education is a scam” slogan that is now gaining wide acceptance among youths and encourage them to embrace education, skills acquisition as well as take to legitimate ventures as means in their quest for wealth acquisition and high social standing.
- Because Nigeria’s energy transition plan cannot work without the huge gas reserve in Ndokwaland, Ndokwa leaders should use all media, including world press conferences to engage the Federal Government and stakeholders in the national energy plan to ensure that Ndokwa is accorded her rightful place in the plan.
- Ndokwa Neku Union should convoke a conference of all Ndokwa to resolve the controversies surrounding the Ndokwa (Ndosumili/Ukwuani) identity as well as the issue of the appropriate nomenclature for the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency to bring about greater unity among our people.
On a final note, the forum appreciated with a deep sense of fulfilment, the emergence of one of our own, Sir Monday Onyeme as the incumbent Deputy Governor of Delta State and called on all and sundry to give him the needed support to succeed in his assignment.
Dr. Norris Ovili Uti G. Azubuike
President Secretary
08033331813 08038686220
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Dr. Norris Ovili Uti G. Azubuike
President Secretary
08033331813 08038686220
