TOMPOLO AT 46: PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE, PANACEA FOR NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT-PROF DARAH

A Nigerian Professor of literature, in Delta State University, Chief (Prof) G.G Darah has stated that peaceful co-existence remains the panacea for the development of Niger Delta, stressing that the people of the region were living as one before the British brought in their divide and rule tactics.

Prof. Darah made the remark yesterday while delivering a lecture titled “The Niger Delta Struggle and the question of ethnic identity” in Warri as part of events marking TOMPOLO 46th birthday, adding that living peacefully and working together as one, regardless of tribe would open doors of development in the region, which according to him bears the golden egg but is backward compared to other regions of the federation.

The literary guru noted with disdain the appalling opposition from some individuals and ethnic groups against the commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, which according to him was attracted by this young philanthropist and a silent achiever, Tompolo.

In his lecture, the scholar said the need for more marine engineers to man our water ways in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region, made the Federal Government of then to consult him to draw a curriculum for a Maritime University with a view to meeting the numerous marine needs of the country.

Professor Darah, however, frowned at the unavailability of Maritime University in the country said Nigeria needed over 150,000 marine engineers to man the nation’s water ways hence the call for the immediate reopening of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko which he alleged to have been halted by some “bad belle’ people.

The Urhobo born literary giant said out of over 150, 000 marine engineers needed by the nation, there are only 100, 000 marine engineers, stressing that, it is so insufficient for a country aiming at developing technologically.

He also revealed that out of the 20 Deltas in the world, the Nigerian Delta also known as the Niger Delta is the richest, the Scholar recommended that surveillance of oil facilities be handled by host communities for a smooth running of oil companies and also to give the communities involved , a sense of belonging.