Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has called for the immortalization of past Niger Delta leaders via literature.
He particularly said the best way to immortalize the late Chief Melford Okilo, first civilian Governor of Rivers State, is through literature—beyond organising yearly memorials or delivering lectures.
Mangrovepen correspondent reports that Ogbuku made the averment on Friday while delivering his goodwill message at the 16th memorial anniversary and launching of the Chief Melford Okilo endowment fund held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
Through literature, future generations will learn from Okilo’s selfless political career and philosophies, Ogbuku opined.
According to the NDDC helmsman “Immortalizing Melford Okilo is not all about celebrating memorial or delivering lectures.
“For those of us who are academics, let us write literature about Okilo—his good works, his sacrifices, his philosophy, his principles—so that the younger generation will also be guided by the philosophy and principles of Chief Melford Okilo.”
While insisting that Okilo served selflessly without thinking of how to amass wealth, Ogbuku submitted that the former governor taught the lessons of sacrifice.
Okilo was a true nationalist whose humble and selfless sacrifice led to the Ijaw nation producing the first president from the Niger Delta, he recounted.
Citing Okilo as an example, Ogbuku admonished guests not to be selfish in their political career, adding that “we must be selfless and work towards what will benefit our people.”
Ogbuku who, like Okilo, also hails from Ogbia Kingdom in Bayelsa State, further suggested that a standard library should be built to immortalize the late political icon.
The NDDC boss promised that the commission will partner with the organisers of the Okilo memorial anniversary to support the programme for continuity.
