Author: The Nation

The Delta State Government has been charged to release as at when due, the 50 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation fund accruing to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to fast track development across communities.

The charge was given by the Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum (DITRF) during a courtesy visit by the DESOPADEC Executive Director, Social Services, Hon. (Chief) Favour Izuokumor and Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality on the agency’s board, Hon. Spencer Okpoye at Ugborikoko in Uvwie council area.

Speaking at the ceremony which had 10 monarchs in attendance, the chairman of the forum, the Ebananaowei of Ogulagha kingdom, HRM Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan, noted that in the past, there were lots of abandoned projects due to failure of the commission to fund some of the projects or inability to pay contractors.

According to him, the board was not to blame “because the funds do not come to them directly.”

Expressing confidence that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration “will do well with his M.O.R.E agenda,” the monarch said “I will appeal to the state government to release the 50 per cent that accrue to DESOPADEC to them and for DESOPADEC to use it for the communities”.

On his part, the Pere of Akugbene-Mein kingdom and 1st vice chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM S.P. Luke Kalanama VIII, appealed for prompt payments to contractors whose jobs have attained the point to be paid.

He noted that some contractors owe banks and have to sell off their properties to clear loans obtained in order to execute DESOPADEC projects, which ought not to be.

He further remarked that with unity among the board members and having served in the interventionist agency in the past, there was no doubt that Chief Izuokumor “already knows the nooks and crannies of the workings of DESOPADEC,” that will ensure each ethnic nationality gets its due.

HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu, Paramount ruler and Pere of Seimbiri kingdom recounted that the traditional rulers were instrumental to the establishment of DESOPADEC, hence they could interface with the State Government when there are challenges in the commission.

Speaking with newsmen, the ED Social Services, Chief Izuokumor said with the hope that Delta continues to receive “more 13 per cent derivation,” DESOPADEC “will try to see that contractors’ payment are prioritized”.

The ED added that this means that there must be conducive environment for oil and gas companies to carry out their activities.

He also explained that the cases of abandoned projects and failure to pay contractors were as a result of paucity of funds.

Earlier addressing the monarchs and describing the gathering as “a symbol of unity,” Izuokumor said the aim of visiting was to “acknowledge the fact that without the traditional rulers, there wouldn’t have been DESOPADEC. Today, we are beneficiaries of your agitations. It behooves on us to serve the Ijaw nation”.

The member representing Ijaw Ethnic nation, Hon Okpoye thanked the traditional rulers for their unwavering “support”.

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Appealing for more support, he said “we are very much ready to do things differently to make sure dividends of democracy get to every area. We will key into the M.O.R.E agenda of the state Governors to ensure that Ijaw gets all it deserves.

Okpoye disclosed that DESOPADEC budget was been deliberated on, hence the royal fathers should “give directive to your administrative subjects to come out with projects” that the agency will take on and see their completion before the end of their tenure.

He also revealed that DESOPADEC will be going round soon to “verify and inspect” past projects.

Among other royal fathers present were HRM Couple Oromoni Mobene II, Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom and  HRM P. S. Erebulu Aduo III, Pere of Kabowei kingdom and secretary, DITRF.

Photo

From 4th right: The Pere of Akugbene-Mein kingdom and 1st vice chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM S.P. Luke Kalanama VIII; Hon. Chief Favour Izuokumor, Executive Director, Social Services, DESOPADEC; the Ebananaowei of Ogulagha kingdom, HRM Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan; HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu, Paramount ruler and Pere of Seimbiri kingdom the member representing Ijaw Ethnic nation, Hon Spencer Okpoye and other monarchs at the meeting.

• By, Sunny Osagie

In the realm of governance and leadership, one would expect an appreciable level of wisdom, maturity and selflessness. These values often steer a leader’s hand in the pursuit of the common good, which is the ultimate goal of political office. Yet in Edo State, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu appears to have turned away from these principles, embodying instead, an unsettling combination of entitlement, immaturity and senseless paranoia. Or else, how do you explain his puerile gimmick of seeking remedy when there is no ailment?

Of attempting to foment trouble where none exists? His recent rush to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a restraining order to stop an imaginary impeachment, is emblematic of his infantile understanding of power dynamics and political strategy. It is akin to the tale of the boy who cried wolf, calling for attention, fabricating danger where none exists, all in the bid to hug the spotlight.

These issues transcend political theatre; they strike at the heart of leadership itself. Leadership requires humility, vision, understanding and empathy, especially at times like these, where citizens are battling hard for survival. It requires the ability to see beyond oneself and one’s ambitions and to put the people first. These qualities appear to be notably absent in Mr. Shaibu.

The good governance of a state relies on leaders who not only understand the mechanics of politics but who also possess the character to guide their decisions with wisdom and integrity.

Philip Shaibu’s actions and behaviour suggest a man led more by self-interest and fear than by an earnest desire to serve. Why should he be insisting in these harsh economic climes to succeed the governor by all means necessary? How can that be his preoccupation in today’s Nigeria? Moreover, what makes him feel entitled to this position more than any other person or administrative region in the state?

In an era where political turmoil and distrust are rampant, the people of Edo State deserve leaders who embody the principles of fairness, respect for the rule of law and responsibility. They deserve leaders who are guided by a genuine concern for the welfare of all, not the whims of entitlement and arrogance.

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In the story that inspired the title of this opinion, the cries of the petulant boy eventually led to a loss of trust, a fracture in the social contract between the crier and the community. Mr. Shaibu would do well to heed the lesson in that tale. His cries, his actions, and his very approach to leadership are all sounding alarms to the Edo people who are listening to the echoes of his paranoia and entitlement.

When the time comes, we will prove to him, like we have proved to so many, that we want leaders who understand that governance is not child’s play, and it is certainly not a birthright. It is a solemn duty, and those who seek to fulfil it must prove themselves worthy of the trust it entails. Philip Shaibu’s recent actions have cast serious doubt on his ability to do so.

* Mr. Osagie writes from Benin City