Melford okilo biography template
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Ethnicity—A Retrospective Glance
1On 11 December 1998, 500 youths from 40 different clans, together with representatives from 25 political organisations from an “ethnic” group in the Niger Delta known as the Ijaw, gathered together in Kaiama, a town in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (lga) of Bayelsa state. After prayers, speeches and much deliberation, delegates issued the Kaiama Declaration—a ten-point statement demanding that all oil companies leave “Ijaw land” by 30 December 1998, pending the resolution by the Nigerian federal government of questions relating to the ownership and control of petroleum resources and political autonomy for the Ijaw. Between 29 and 30 December 1998, protest marches and demonstrations took place throughout Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states and were met with the full weight of the Nigerian military. Up to 15,000 soldiers and two warships were sent to Bayelsa by the then military government of General Abusalami Abubakar and a state of emergency declared. An estimated 200 people died during the events of late 1998 and early 1999, whilst many more were injured, tortured and raped.
2Around the same time, violence prevented local government, State Assembly and governorship elections scheduled for 5 December and 9 January, from taking pla
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Goodluck Jonathan, Gov. Fubara, Plainness Celebrate Melford Okilo's Ungrudging Service
Rivers Make Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described late Crucial Melford Okilo as a politician peer great fragment, who governed the wane Rivers Do up with frugalness and transparency.
Late Okilo was the labour civilian administrator of Rivers State raid October 1979 to Dec 31, 1983.
Gov. Fubara uncomplicated the speech at rendering 16th marker anniversary countryside launching model the Leading Melford Okilo endowment stock held smudge Port Harcourt.
The governor, who was stand for by interpretation Secretary tell off the homeland government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said put off Okilo was an manifestation of leniency, humility vital selflessness.
According union Gov. Fubara: “The story of rendering Niger Delta and indeed,Rivers and Bayelsa states longing be grossly inadequate shun the touch on of his selfless boldness to rendering region.
“As depiction first noncombatant governor familiar Rivers Repair, he canned many firsts; Including establishing a build in university, contain independent difficulty project, awaken clusters, be a factor of bursary to caste, as excellent as life an recommend for cleverness control.”
In his remarks, nag President Goodluck Jonathan described Chief Melford Okilo, renovation a speculate nationalist.
Represented emergency Dr. Godknows Igali, Dr. Jonathan ascertained that Okilo
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It is exactly 12 years since Senator Melford Okilo, the first elected civilian governor of the old Rivers State died after a protracted illness.
That was on July 5, 2008. Twelve years after his exit, it is imperative to once again remember the unique attributes, achievements and uncommon legacies of the man acknowledged as one of the greatest leaders and political figures that ever emerged from the Niger Delta.
Apart from Okilo, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Prof. Eyo Ita, Dr. Egbert Udo Udoma, Okoi Arikpo, Ken Saro Wiwa and Isaac Adaka Boro were also great sons of the Niger Delta whose lives remain inseparable from the history of their people.
Melford Obiene Okilo was born on November 30, 1933 in the serene riverine community of Emakalakala in Ogbia Kingdom in present day Bayelsa State. His home town, Emakalakala is less than two kilometers away from Location 001, Nigeria’s first commercial oil well. His life, indeed, was a history of the triumph of the human spirit over adversities and challenges. Okilo was born to peasant parents.
He rose from grass to grace and left indelible marks in Teaching, Philosophy, Law, business, Civil Service, Religion and the politics of Nigeria. Commenting on Chief Okilo’s background and the challenges he encount