By Olayinka Oyegbile, Editor.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, has said that Nigeria has continued to remain poor and held down because there are some “average persons who have been moving the country among themselves,” thus not allowing it to grow and attain its full height in the comity of nations.
Welcoming a delegation of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) led by its Executive Director, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi to his palace, at the weekend, the paramount ruler lauded the military for providing a conducive atmosphere for citizens to live in peace in the country.
According to him, the military was responsible for the peace and tranquility that the country currently enjoys. He said it was the military that had made the country to be livable and allowed citizens to be able to move around and enjoy their lives and transact their businesses without fear.
However, the royal father who is himself a former military man said despite this and other accomplishments, the military, which should have achieved a lot for the country, has been captured by a “segment who have been moving it from an average person to another average person” thus stagnating the country’s growth.
Speaking about his kingdom, he said the Ijaw spring from a rich tradition with a history of accomplishments at home and abroad. The king who is a writer with three published books, one of which continues to receive worldwide acclaim, while two others are awaiting publication, paid glowing tribute to one of Africa’s greatest poets, the late Gabriel Okara who hailed from the region. He added that creativity is a native of the kingdom and he and others were only following in the trail blazed by Okara and others.
The traditional ruler whose military career was cut short because of the involvement of his elder brother who was a Captain in the army said it was wrong for the military to let relations of coup plotters who perhaps knew nothing of the plot be punished simply because they are relations. This and other issues are what he deals with in his memoir entitled Once a Soldier, which is awaiting public presentation soon.
Mr Oluwafemi said the CAPPA delegation decided to visit him to pay homage and seek his usual cooperation in its activities. He added that the nongovernmental organization has not forgotten that the royal father is an activist and environmentalist and therefore need to seek his royal blessings. The executive director also used the visit to invite him to the regional meeting of health commissioners to be held in the state shortly.
He thanked the royal father for his consistency in fighting for a just and environmentally friendly society and pledged the support of CAPPA. Others who accompanied Mr Oluwafemi on the visit are Mr Olatunji Buhari, CAPPA’s Associate Director, Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, a media and communications consultant and Mr Victor Oluwafemi also of CAPPA.
