Niger Delta desperately needs another Okilo – Iworiso-Markson

***Decries underdevelopment of region

A former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Bayelsa State, Dr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has said that the Niger Delta region is in desperate need of another Melford Okilo.

Chief Melford Obiene Okilo who was the first elected civilian Governor of the old Rivers state was born on the 30th of November, 1933 in Emakalakala, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and died on July 5, 2008 at the age of 74.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 16th memorial anniversary of the late sage in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Iworiso-Markson said Okilo was a man ahead of his time and a mentor to many.

According to him, gathering every year to honour the late senator who represented Bayelsa East in the National Assembly is a welcome development but more still needs to be done, especially concerted efforts towards developing the Niger Delta.

Iworiso-Markson added that Okilo will be happier wherever he is to see the transformation of the Niger Delta and charged leaders of the region to come together and unite for its development.

His words: “Today’s Niger Delta need leaders like Melford Okilo especially at a time like this when the region is gasping for breath of fresh air in leadership. While it’s highly commendable to gather every year in a talkshop event to mark the memorial of Chief Okilo, I believe a befitting memorial for the great man would be for leaders in the region to transform the Niger Delta.

“Truth be told, I don’t think Okilo will be proud of what the Niger Delta has become today. This is clearly not the Niger Delta of Okilo’s dream. While it is true that Nigeria has failed the Niger Delta people, perhaps the biggest blow to the region and its people comes from its own leaders. Of all the six geopolitical zones that make up the federal republic of Nigeria, the South-South region have been the most unfortunate of them all in terms of governance and development.

“Despite the huge petrodollars that have accrued to the Niger Delta region, it had been more of moves than movements. There is little or no development in the Niger Delta. Our leaders in the region are not doing enough for our people. We cannot continue to blame others for our underdevelopment.”

While charging government at all levels to provide sustainable development for the people, Iworiso-Markson noted that the region is blessed with human and material resources that can be used to achieve its rapid growth within a target period.

“The onus is on us and the governments at various levels to develop the Niger Delta. At best, our development is in fits and starts, and yet we are quick to roll out the drums to celebrate such. I believe we can do better”, he added.