By Enaibo Asiayei
EFFURUN, DELTA STATE – His Royal Majesty, Elder (Capt.) King Joseph I. Timiyan (JP), PhD, the Ebenanawei of Ancient Ogulagha Kingdom and Chairman, Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, has called on all nine oil-producing states in the Niger Delta to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Chief (Dr.) Wellington O. Okirika, CON, describing him as a man whose legacy transcends community, ethnicity, and political borders.
Speaking during the 83rd birthday and book launch of the Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, King Timiyan declared that Chief Okirika’s achievements are not only historical but foundational to the progress of the Niger Delta. “Chief W.O. Okirika is worth celebrating by the entire region — the communities, the kingdoms, the local governments, and the states. Everyone must support this kind of honour,” he said.
He described Okirika as a fearless advocate and the reason the 13% derivation fund exists today. “He never fought and lost. That’s why he is called Mr. 13%. He fought for it — and he succeeded. He is a household name, a generous man, a freedom fighter, and a selfless leader. One cannot fully describe him and get him right – he is a man of many colours.”
King Timiyan traced Okirika’s landmark achievements to his days in OMPADEC, noting that he was the first Ijaw man to bring real infrastructural development to riverine communities across the Niger Delta. “He built concrete jetties across Ijaw communities — not just in Gbaramatu, but in Ogbe-Ijoh, Ogulagha, Iduwini, and across Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Edo States. He did not work only for where he comes from; he worked for all.”
He emphasized that Chief Okirika has supported many, not just materially, but through educational and moral mentorship. “He helped a lot. He promoted others — Ijaw leaders and national voices — yet never promoted himself. He is among the best this region has produced.”
In addition to infrastructure and human development, the monarch credited Okirika with facilitating key regional projects such as the establishment of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Niger Delta ,TROMPCON. “He led delegations to the Presidency and worked to ensure those efforts yielded real results for our people. That is the mark of a committed leader.”
King Timiyan concluded with a strong message: “Now that he is 83, and still alive, it is our duty to celebrate him. We must carry this celebration across all Niger Delta states. Let this not be funded from his pocket alone. Let us support a man who has supported so many. Chief Okirika’s legacy will be celebrated forever.”
The event also featured the unveiling of a biography titled “Mr. 13% Derivation Fund: The Life and Legacy of Chief (Dr) Wellington O. Okirika CON,” capturing his journey as a pioneer of resource advocacy and regional development in Nigeria.
