A very special day - Clocking 21112

Today, Saturday June 20 2009 is a very special day for me - a lover of palindromes. I have clocked 21112 days of life. Interesting figures indeed!!

Melford Okilo's Legacy - Opokuma's Contribution (Culled from Melford Okilo By Stephanie Ney)

The late Senator Melford Obiene Okilo, first civilian Governor of the old Rivers State who died in July 2008 will finally be laid to rest at his home town Amakalakala, Ogbia, in Bayelsa State this weekend. May God grant this great fighter for the emancipation of the Ijaw nation, eternal rest.

Melford Okilo became a member of parliament for Brass South in the National Assembly under the banner of the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) party during the First Republic. Due to the alliance of the party with the Northern Peoples Congress in parliamentary Melford was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the head of the NPC government. That government came to an abrupt end when the military took over government in January 1966.

Later Chief Melford Okilo played a key role as a Commissioner for Education in the first government of old Rivers State headed by Commander (now Chief) Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff. After the return to civil rule he subsequently became the first civilian governor of Rivers state (1979-1983). His service to his people continued when he was elected to the senate to represent Brass Senatorial District (1999-2003).

Chief Okilo was launched on the national scene after his unexpected victory at the 1959 Federal elections when he defeated the NCNC candidate to emerge winner for Brass South in the federal parliament.

It will be of great interest for the people of Opokuma to note that the key to that victory was his political comrade and head of his campaign team, Rodger William Obubo of Igbainwari, Opokuma. Without the untiring efforts of Rodger William Obubo who had hitherto been a Secretary-General of the Ijaw State Union and a seasoned community organiser, it was doubtful that Melford Okolo would have won that election. Having served as the first Secretary-General of the Ijaw State Union, Mr. Obubo knew the Ijaw terrain very well and used this unique knowledge to great advantage in the election campaign. Completely out-resourced by NCNC, the dominant party in Eastern Nigeria, in terms of campaign funding, they had to devise strategies to capture the soul of the Ijaw nation, through inspiring speeches and songs. Because of the belief they had in the cause of the Ijaw nation and the need for the Ijaw people to resist subjugation in Eastern Nigeria, they shunned the temptation to join the dominant party to win easy victories.Thankfully those were the days when guns and ballot box grabbing had not come to play a deciding role in winning elections. They were helped in this task by the late singer Chief Sondu of Sampou who helped to electrify the crowds with his melodious and inspiring music of traditional balads before the speeches began at every political gathering during the campaign. Against all odds, the NDC and its candidate, Melford Obiene Okilo, stunned the NCNC by winning the Brass South parliamentary seat.

I recall very vividly that Chief Melford Okilo publicly declared at the eulogy he delivered at Mr. Obubo's funeral in 1992 that the impact of Mr. R. W. Obubo's campaign strategy that saw him through to the Federal House and also revealed that that singular act was instrumental to the appointment of another illustrious Opokuma son, Professor William Ogionwo (now King William, the Opuokun of Opokuma) as the first Secretary to Government of the civilian government headed by Chief Melford Okilo.

Some Hope for Curbing the Militancy

Glad to know that kidnapped Lebanese Engineer, Mr. David has been released.

In Kolokuma Opokuma LGA, we were all relieved to hear of the safe release of the kidnapped Lebanese Construction Engineer who was abducted from his work site near Sabagreia. The construction of this strategic road that links our LGA directly with the State capital without the need to go through another state can hopefully resume. The hapless perpetrators have been apprehended and are now helping the police.

It is with hope and great expectation that we read the following story about the renewed efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to bring militancy and criminal activity in the Niger Delta region under effective check. We pray that they will succeed so that the pace of development can be quickened.

FG merges Military Forces In N-Delta
Culled fron The Vanguard
Written by Kingsley Omonobi
Thursday, 12 March 2009

In a renewed effort to contain militants’ attacks on oil platforms, hostage-taking and piracy among others in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government yesterday announced a major reorganisation of the joint military task forces operating in the oil-rich region, merging Operation Restore Hope in Warri with "Operation Flush Out III" in Port Harcourt.

With the merger, initiated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, and approved by President Umaru Yar'Adua, there will now be one single Joint Task Force known as ‘Operation Restore Hope' with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Further, the task force will now be commanded by a two-star general who will have a deputy while there will be Sector Commanders in Warri and Port Harcourt.Maj-Gen Yakin Bello heads new outfit. Named as Commander of Operation Restore Hope is Major-General Sarkin Yakin Bello. General Bello, promoted to the two-star rank last December was former Commander of Operation Flush Out III, in Port Harcourt. He is to be assisted at the headquarters in Yenagoa by Brigadier-General Nanvem Rintip, the former Commander of Operation Restore Hope in Warri.

Confirming the development in Abuja yesterday, Director of Defence Information, Colonel Chris Jemitola noted that “obviously, the new Joint Task Force will have a new mandate for the Niger Delta", adding that the mandate is being worked out by the Chief of Defence Staff and would be made public at an appropriate time.
Explaining that one of the purposes of the merger was to make for better command and control, logistics support and to maximize the synergy of efforts from the three services, the Director of Defence Information said that General Bello will report directly to the CDS.

Joint Military exercise to hold in Ondo
The merger is taking place just as the Defence Headquarters will this month carry out the first Joint Operations Exercise nicknamed "Ologun Meta" which in Yoruba, means ‘The Three Warriors', around Ori Oke Iwamema, Okitipupa, along the coastal area of Ondo State.

The training exercise which would involve the Army, Navy and Air Force, is to practice and test the planning and execution of the Tri-Service joint operation and inter-operability of equipment in the armed forces.

"Other areas of training are beach landing, and special operations to include military operations other than war in phases of a limited war", Col. Jemitola said, adding "there will be large number of troops as well as military hardware in that area and as such, members of the general public are advised not to panic as this is just a military exercise. Locals of the exercise area will be adequately alerted before the exercise commences as armoured vehicles, fighter jets and naval gunships will be deployed" he added.

The Bane of Underdevelopment in Bayelsa

The embarrassing activities of militants appear to have been resuscitated in Bayelsa State with the recent attack at the construction site of Elite Construction Company. Heavily armed gunmen struck at Sabagriea in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area, abducting a Lebanese construction engineer whose name was given as Mr. David to an unknown destination.
Mr David who works for Elite Construction Company, was kidnapped in the afterrnoon of Wednesday March 4 2009. Eye witnesses said the suspected gunmen were heavily armed and sped off in a speed boat with their hostage through Igbedi Creek.. Elite Construction Company is handling the construction of the Polaku/Sabagriea road project under the auspices of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). A bridge linking the two sides of the road is currently under construction and was expected to be completed within the next 6 months. This abduction can prolong the expected completion dates by months if not carefully handled..
Security agencies are reported to be spreading their intelligence drag net in the area to secure the release of Mr. David.
The issue of kidnaps of development workers has been a source of shame and embarrassment to all well-meaning Bayelsans. To the the people of Kolokuma-Opokuma, this parfticular incident is asetback. The road under construction will help to bring Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area closer to the seat of government in Yenagoa as the new road bypasses the East -West highway and Mbiama and makes travel to Yenagoa very direct and much shorter.
The Bayelsa State Government must embark on a social campaign to educate these ignorant and sick enemies of development that their economic prosperity can never be secured by criminal and selfish acts of hostage taking and ransoms. They are pulling Bayelsa State back and attempting to make it a pariah state that nobody would want to take a risk to live in or work in.

Opokuma's First Billionaire

Wednesday February 25 will go down in history as the day when for the very first time an indigene of Opokuma became a billionaire. Thanks to a friendship struck up with a Zimbabwean professor, I was twenty billionaire dollars richer.
Such is the value of the Zimbabwean dollar that I cannot secure for myself even a simple lunch with all of my new wealth.

A Professorial Welcome

Today I had the task of two meetings at the University of Nairobi and ICRAF.
The day started early as I got up a lot earlier that usual on a Sunday at 0445 hours only to realise that I was in Nairobi and it was actually 0645 hours.
I had a good breakfast - breakfast at the Nairobi Hiton is always full of a big variety of delicious items. Unfortunately for me I took on some cold fruits and spent the last five minutes of the breakfast sneezing. I gave up on the breakfast to restore my personal dignity as my usual antidotes did not work this morning. Even hot maize meal did not do the trick.

President Yar'Adua Consoles Timi Alaibe at Alaere's Funeral

Culled from the Niger Delta Standard

Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa and Olawale Lamina, PH.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was among prominent personalities who yesterday honoured late Mrs. Alaere Alaibe, wife of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe at her funeral service. The funeral service was held at the Alaibe's compound in Igbainwari community in Opokuma clan, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa state.

President Yar'Adua, who was represented by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, remarked that Alaere lived an enterprising life of dedication to service and humanity. He noted that Mrs. Alaibe, while on earth touched many was inspiring to her numerous admirers. President Yar'Adua enjoined Timi Alaibe and members of the family to be encouraged by the fact that his late wife had gone to be with God Almighty after her good works on earth. "My heart goes out to you, the entire members of your family and the very many people whose lives were touched by Alaere in the course of her short-lived but inspiring and fulfilled sojourn on earth. "In the midst of death, grief and pain which you must feel, given the magnitude of the loss, you must take solace from the fact that your wife has gone to be with the Almighty Lord after an enterprising life of dedication to service and humanity. "On behalf of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and my behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to you and pray for Almighty God's strength and understanding and wisdom on you and the children at this time. "May her soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen", the President said. Speaking in his capacity as the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said life was not about how long people lived, but how people impact positively the environment around them. The Vice President added that though Alaere lived a very short life, like a good actor, she left the stage when the ovation was loudest, stressing she played her role very well."The basic truth about life is not really how long you lived, but how you impact positively the environment and those around you. How you change your immediate family, your larger family, your community, the local government area, the state and the Federal Government where you have the opportunity", he noted. Jonathan, who was accompanied by his wife Dame Patience, said Alaere would be missed by her family, the larger family, the Niger Delta region and the entire Nigeria, urging that she should not be mourned as her life was eventful and meaningful. "We join others to console the family but say that they should not mourn. My dear brother, Timi Alaibe, the children and members of the immediate family, we say our sister has left us. We should not mourn", the Vice President said.

Governors Timipre Sylva, Ikedi Ohakim, Theodore Orji, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Liyel Imoke of Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Edo and Cross Rivers States, respectively, showered encomiums on Alaere. The governors, who described death as a necessary end and would come when it would, noted that Alaibe's wife, through her non-governmental organization, Family Re-Orientation, Education and Empowerment (FREE) touched numerous lives. They however, prayed that God would grant Alaibe, the children and the family the fortitude to bear what they described as the "irreparable loss" of Alaere.

Also giving a tribute on behalf of the board and management of the NDDC, the chairman Mr. Dan Abia extolled the virtues of Alaere, saying she had a clear vision that endeared her to all manner of people. Dan noted as a woman of substance, Alaere provided emotional stability to her husband and changed many lives for better through FREE and defended the weak and the poor.

In his response, the husband of the deceased, Chief Timi Alaibe said the death of his wife, Alaere, was a burden too heavy for him. He said Alaere was his friend, wife and mother, adding that she was not only a pillar of support to him and his career but a servant to humanity. Alaibe told the crowd of sympathizers that their presence at the funeral service was enough support to him and his family, saying they were all encouraged. While expressing profound appreciation to all and sundry, Alaibe assured that the legacies of his late wife would continue ceaselessly.

Other dignitaries at the funeral service conducted by Reverend Father Matthew Hassan-Kukah included deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Werinipre Seibarugu, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, Ambassador Boladei Igali, Secretary to Government of Bayelsa State, Mr. Gideon Ekeuwei.

Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa and Olawale Lamina, PH.

Opokuma Prepares to say Adieu to An Illustrious Daughter

An announcement from the court of the King of Opokuma HRH (Prof) William Ogionwo has given the details of the activities that will mark the furneral ceremonies of our beloved daughter Alaere Augustina Alaibe. The Opokuma Kingdom is deeply appreciative of the life and contributions to the social development of Opokuma of this remarkable lady.
Wednesday Feb 11 2009 - Service of songs at Timi Alaibe Residence, Igbainwari
Thursday Feb 12 2009 - Traditional Wake keeping Timi Alaibe Residence, Igbainwari

A well-deserved honour

The body of Mrs Alaere Alaibe arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International on Friday morning aboard a British Airways plane, and was received by a large crowd of mourners. Sympathisers included former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, former Speaker of the House, Austin Opara, former Transportation Minister, Abiye Sekibo among others.

Alaere's body was subsequently airlifted from Abuja to Port Harcourt later on Friday and met by large crowd of grief-stricken sympathizers and well-wishers at the Port Harcourt Airforce Base. Most of the sympathisers could not hold back the tears as it dawned on them that Alaere was really gone. Bayelsa women groups and a large number of Alaere's close friends and associates and dignitaries associated with her husband, the Managing Drector of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, lined up the tarmac to pay their respects to their beloved friend who succumbed to cancer in a London hospital. The body was quickly transferred to a waiting ambulance which was driven to a private hospital mortuary in Port Harcourt.

In life she changed the lots of many in the Niger Delta and beyond. She was a true proponent of the Niger Delta component of the President YarAdua's 7-point agenda . In fact she acted way ahead of the pack. Alaere particularly touched the lives of youths and rural women through her projects in the FREE Foundation. Grateful Nigerians burdened by the grief of her premature exit came to pay their respects.

Alaere will be buried at Trofani, her home town in Sagbama local council, after traditional wake keeping at Igbainwari, Opokuma in line with Ijaw culture. Thursday/Friday February 12/13, 2009.

Adieu Alaere Alaibe: Opokuma has lost a gem

On Saturday January 31 2009, the cold hands of death snatched away from us an illustrous daughter, Mrs Alaere Augustina Timi Alaibe. She was literally snatched from the arms of her dear husband in a London hospital. Alaere, a native of Trofani in Sagbama Local Government Area became one of the most loved daughter of Opokuma, her new home by marriage to Ndutimi Alaibe the Managing Director of the NDDC.

Mrs. Alaere Alaibe, founder of the international award-winning non-governmental organisation, Family Reorientation Education and Empowerment (FREE) was born in Lagos in 1964. Alaere is a holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) both from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. Rivers State, Nigeria.

Between 1988 and 1990, she worked as an Accountant with Elekrint Nigeria Limited, Lagos and Ashland Oil Company, Port Harcourt. Still in pursuit of her dreams, she left her lucrative position and in 1994 to set up Pretty Woman Nigeria Limited, a health and beauty company to redefine the emerging face and consciousness of the modern Nigerian woman with poise and confidence.

In 2000, Alaere initiated the Family Reorientation Education and Empowerment (FREE) to help the women of the Niger Delta region resolve the developmental dilemmas confronting them, and in addition help them become literate and empowered.

In July 2005, FREE was officially registered as a not- for-profit NGO with emphasis on women and the girl child. FREE is a member of the Non Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS) with a vision to reduce the high levels of ignorance, alphabetic illiteracy,the collapse of family values and general underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region.

No other daughter of Opokuma has done so much work to change the Opokuma landscape. Alaere was an apostle for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Through the FREE project, she touched the lives of the people of Opokuma Clan as no other woman had done in the Clan's history. Projects ranging from adult literacy to public health were established to support the Opokuma community.

In agreement with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in pursuance of FREE’s core objective of restoring dignity to the women folk of the Niger Delta, Mrs. Alaere Alaibe has established more Adult & Non Formal Community Education Centres in the Niger Delta, bringing the number in less than a decade from less than 15 to 28.

By dint of hard work her foundation received many awards from different parts of the world. The most notable of these was the Confucious Prize for Literacy 2007 awarded by UNESCO. It was the first time the Confucious Prize was ever given to any Nigerian organisation or government. In the award citation, FREE was applauded for creating a network of learning centres to provide literacy skills to adults, especially to women and out-of-school girls. The women of Opokuma who became empowered through these centres will never forget her.

It was her personal initiative that started the project with the creation in 2002 of the first Pioneer Adult and Non-Formal Study Centre at Trofani. Another was soon created at Opokuma. The number of centres grew to 16, spanning 12 communities, after FREE became fully operational in 2005. This remarkable educational project now numbers 28 centres that provide literacy training to some 700 learners and it is spreading to more communities.

In 2006, FREE built the Support for Africa Health Centre in Igbainwari Town, Opokuma Clan in Bayelsa State, in partnership with the UK-based Support for Africa Foundation of Nigerian-born singer, Patti Boulaye. FREE also organizes education and health seminars and a large number of activities, including free eye tests and the distribution of spectacles to students.

The people of Opokuma in particular and the Niger Delta in general will greatly miss the devoted love of this wonderful lady. She was an embodiment of philanthropy. Maybe it is true what the Romans said that "Those whom the gods love die young".

Adieu Alaere!!