I’ll Work With PANDEF To Develop Niger Delta, Obong Of Calabar Assures

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has promised to work with Amb Igali led National Exco of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to develop the Niger Delta region.

He disclosed this during PANDEF’s visit to the Obong in Calabar on Tuesday where His Eminence also charged all Niger Deltans to embrace PANDEF as the apex sociopolitical umbrella body of the South South geopolitical zone.

The National Publicity Secretary and Spokesman of the organisation, Olorogun Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, noted that the Obong narrated his involvement in the early life of PANDEF along with Oba Erediauwa, the 39th Oba of Benin and commended Chief Sen Edwin Clark for for the vision in bring the Leaders of the region together in establishing PANDEF.

The statement reads, “The National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali in his speech, told the revered Monarch that PANDEF has come to pay respect to the treaty King and to get his royal blessing.

“Amb Igali traced the ancient kingdom of Calabar to 13th century, where the Obong of Calabar signed a treaty with Queen Victoria of England, stating that it is only people of equal recognition that sign treaty together.

“Amb Igali, therefore, stated that PANDEF in its roles shall continue to advocate for a constitutional role for traditional rulers, tracing the importance of Calabar as Headquarters back to 1906 and urged that it is properly fit for UNESCO historical tour site.

Speaking further, Amb Igali said, “Our forefathers have been fighting for the development of the region, and the rights of the ethnic minorities which led to the setting up of the Willins commission and the establishment of the Niger Delta River basin and there are more reasons now why we must come together to fight for the development of the South South zone.

The National Chairman told the Obong that the new exco under his leadership has to be every where to represent the region in order not to be short changed, making the region positions known and very clear in pursuit of the Coast Guard bill, South South Development Commission bill and the 2025 Nigeria budget.

In His Eminence received the PANDEF Delegation in his personal country home in Calabar and treated the delegation to a warm reception.”