July 13, (THEWILL) — Many young people only know High Chief (Hon) Dr Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku Esq. as the former Sole Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
They do not know that he was one of the real proponents and champions of the contemporary struggle for the emancipation cum liberation of the Ijaw Nation and, indeed, the entire geographic Niger Delta region from economic and political servitude.
Kingsley Kuku was actually the brain behind the prominence and success story of the Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo-led National leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
He used his intellectual and oratory prowess as the then National Spokesman to make the Exco and the Council in general gain prominence.
Two decades ago or thereabout, Ijaws in Ondo State were relegated to the background despite the abundant natural resources within Ijaw territory in that state.
It took the immeasurable sacrifices of Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku and other Ijaw leaders to fight for the recognition of Ijaws in Ondo State. He never fought a selfish fight for himself alone; otherwise, Ijaws would have been stagnated politically and economically after he left office as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
When he got the opportunity as the Amnesty Boss, he never saw himself as a king to be worshipped. Rather, he used his office to liberate his people from illiteracy, which was a major problem. He empowered hundreds, if not thousands.
Today, multitudes of Ijaw people have studied abroad and locally, some up to Ph.D level through PAP. Under Kuku, multitudes acquired skills in various trades, and many are now gainfully employed with good families.
Kuku never discriminated or segregated against any section of the Ijaw Nation. He used his privileged position to unite Ijaws.
After the armed struggle, Kuku is among the Ijaw leaders who realised that armed struggle and militancy are no longer fashionable, considering the negative image it paints and portrays about the Ijaw Nation globally.
They discovered that the best way to liberate any man is to liberate the mind, particularly the way he or she thinks and sees things globally, and education and skills acquisition are the best tools and way forward.
Kuku not only preached or sermonised about it, but he also took the lead to prove to the younger generation that there is no alternative to education.
After attaining the pinnacle of education, which is a Doctorate (Ph.D), he went back to study Law and today, he is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court.
I am not surprised that through his timely intervention alongside other noble and very outstanding Ijaw leaders, the issue of factional leadership in IYC was resolved amicably. At the end, Ijaw youths successfully had a unity convention that has produced an executive that may end up as one of the best due to the quality of the vibrant, focused, highly educated, productive and resourceful minds who have just been elected into the 10th National Exco of IYC.
In 2013, IYC was confronted with one of the worst challenges that would have led to the disintegration and possible death of the Council.
Kingsley Kuku, as the then Amnesty Boss, coordinated and mobilised Ijaw youths and critical stakeholders to Lagos, precisely to the Oriental Hotel, where all contentious issues were resolved, and peace and harmony were later restored.
Kuku is one of the outstanding Ijaw leaders who believe so much in promoting and projecting intelligent and highly resourceful young minds.
It is on good records that he used his privileged position to identify and project multitudes of young people.
Many pessimists, including enemies of the Ijaw Nation who were working and praying fervently for the death of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), never believed that Kuku could midwife a peace process that would bring a lasting peace.
I also use the opportunity to commend our leaders, Hon. Patrick Erasmus, Elder T.K Ogoriba, HRM Asari Dokubo, Alaowei Emmanuel Oyeinfie Jonjon Ph.D, Elder Famous Daunemigha, Elder Ebi Waribagha alias Skido, Elder Boroh Oputu, Hon. Lucky Yobougha, Hon. Monday Eribo, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, Barr. Oweilaemi Roland Pereotubo, High Chief Promise Lawuru, Barr. Jeremiah Owuopele, etc.
His Royal Majesty, King Asari Dokubo and High Chief Promise Lawuru went the extra mile to dole out Five Million Naira each to the 13 Aspirants who were asked to step down in the interest of peace.
Through their sincerity of purpose and unbiased stance, Dr Alaye Theophilus group was compensated with some offices, a positive development that helped to calm all parties and to give the new executive an all-inclusive colouration.
Today, Ijaw youths are now speaking with one united voice again.
In the masquerade dance, the greatest and most powerful masquerades always come last considering the fact that they herald the climax of events.
His Excellency, Very Distinguished Senator Douye Diri, the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, is the greatest and most powerful masquerade in the whole scenario.
No peace or success would have been achieved without his undiluted and untiring fatherly love, guidance and positive disposition.
Gov. Douye Diri deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for the work he is doing in peacebuilding.
Today, Bayelsa State is adjudged as the SAFEST STATE in Nigeria because of his good works.
He is held in very high esteem by other Governors, the Presidency and Nigerians because of his peaceful disposition and his good works.
I also commend, appreciate and celebrate Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr and Dr Alaye Theophilus for placing the collective interest of the Ijaw Nation above self.
I congratulate Dr Doubra Collins Okotete, the 10th President-elect of the Council and other members of this unique team.
I celebrate other Aspirants who accepted the outcome of the election, knowing that as comrades in the struggle, we win some and lose some.
But moving forward and in concluding this piece, I urge Ijaw leaders to also resolve all contentious issues in the Ijaw National Congress (INC), which is the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of Ijaw people all over the world, so that Ijaws can forge a common united front, particularly as Nigeria counts down to the 2027 general elections.
Dr Kingsley Kuku and other IYC leaders have just proven to the Ijaw Nation and the world that the Ijaw Nation has the capacity and capability of taking critical decisions that are always fair, just and inclusive in the overall interest of the Ijaw Nation.
*** Written by Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, a critical stakeholder in the contemporary Niger Delta struggle
