Good Leadership Panacea To Niger Delta Development -VC, Mcpherson University
Good Leadership Panacea To Niger Delta Development -VC, Mcpherson VarsityThe current underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region of the country has been ascribed to poor leadership and misappropriation of the derivation funds.
Professor Francis igbasan, the vice chancellor of Macpherson University stated this on Sunday at the Oil Africa Leadership Awards and Induction into the Hall of Legends at tThe DOME, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital.
Delivering lecture on Oil Politic in the Niger Delta region,the erudite professor disclosed that the 40 percent of the derivation funds given to the oil-producing communities through the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Commission (OSOPADEC) was usually tampered with by the state government.
He noted that such moves had been responsible for poor provision of infrastructure facilities in the oil -producing communities which have been seriously affected by exploration activities, which include destruction of the environment and pollution of the water by oil spills.
The professor called for increment in the oil derivation fund to the Niger Delta states from 13 percent to at least 20 percent for reduction in infrastructure deficit in the region.
No fewer than eight personalities including two royal father’s who have distinguished themselves in provision of leadership roles were honoured and inducted into Hall of Legends.
Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, who was the chairman of the occasion, commended the organisers for the crop of personalities chosen for the award which was not based on pecuniary gains.
He described the publisher of Oil Africa magazine International , Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo as a goal-getter, who does not pay attention to challenges but rather the set goal.
Dr.(Pastor) Oluwadare Adeniyi Aina, one of the awardees, called on Nigerians to focus on building good leadership and ensure job creation through establishment of manufacturing industries.
He charged Nigerians to embrace attitudinal change for improvement of the nation’s image at international level.
Barr. Olumuyiwa Adu in his response stated clearly that it is time government change its approach to issues
surrounding oil for growth and development and Niger Delta.
Dr. Egbuwalo in address explained that the “these awards are to reward excellence and exemplary attributes while serving as platform to encourage good deeds and uncommon achievements..”
Addressing the awardees, Dr. Egbuwalo said: “Today, we are celebrating excellent and quality leadership in you. We are celebrating hard work, great ideas and innovations, commitment, courage and determination, sacrifices, philanthropist, human and community development all in you.
“This recognition is a call on you to raise the bar higher than ever and for us all to know that performance measurement and modelling has become an integral part of life.”
Among the awardees, who were also called into the Hall of Legends, are HRM Oba Micah Olaseni Ajijo, the Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro community and spiritual Majesty of the Holy Apostle Church, Aiyetoro, HRM Oba Adeleke Adefemi Adedoyin II, the Owa Ale of Ikare land, Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, Barrister Olumuyiwa Sylvester Adu, Prince Jacob Momoh, Hon. Barr. Abayomi Sheba, Dr. (Pastor) Oluwadare Adeniyi Aina, CEO, Real Damos Oil & Gas, and Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi.
