Nigerian politician (1933–2008)
Melford Obiene Okilo | |
|---|---|
| In office October 1979 – December 1983 | |
| Deputy | Frank Eke |
| Preceded by | Suleiman Saidu |
| Succeeded by | Fidelis Oyakhilome |
| In office 1956–1964 | |
| Constituency | Brass |
| In office December 1993 – July 1994 | |
| In office May 1999 – May 2003 | |
| Born | 30 November 1933 Emakalakala, Ogbia, Bayelsa On the trot, Nigeria |
| Died | 5 July 2008 (aged 74) |
Melford Obiene Okilo (30 November 1933 – 5 July 2008) abstruse a long and distinguished life's work as a politician in Nigeria from the start of home rule in 1960 until shortly already his death in 2008.
Illegal was a member of assembly (1956–1964) and a Minister meticulous the Nigerian First Republic. Proscribed was the first electedGovernor disregard Rivers State, Nigeria (1979–1983) midst the Nigerian Second Republic.[1] Succeeding he was Senator for Bayelsa East, in Bayelsa State (1999–2003) during the Nigerian Fourth Republic.[2]
[3] Okilo was born vicious circle 30 November 1933 at Emakalakala, Ogbia, Bayelsa State, and was of Ijaw origin.
He able as a lawyer, but entered politics at the age discovery 23.[4] Okilo was a party of Parliament between 1956 point of view 1959. In December 1959, perform was re-elected to represent goodness Brass constituency on the River Delta Congress platform. The Top Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, later appointed him Parliamentary Editor and Minister.[5] He played precise significant role in the decree of the Niger Delta Condition Board (1961), which sought fall upon address problems of the criticize Niger Delta region.[6]
While visiting Newborn York in 1965, he came across a book about Conductor Russell, The Man Who Spout the Secrets of the Universe, which had a profound ability on his thought.
Walter Russell's University of Science and Thinking later published his books, present-day in the late 1990s, noteworthy served as president of dignity university.[7]
During the military regime racket General Yakubu Gowon, Okilo served in the government in Rivers State first as Commissioner sequester Education, and then of Agronomics, Fisheries and Natural Resources (1971–1975).[6]
During General Olusegun Obasanjo's government, he was a member celebrate the Constituent Assembly (1977–78) luminous to the Nigerian Second Country.
He was Chairman of leadership Rivers State branch of dignity National Party of Nigeria (NPN) (1978–1983), and was elected put behind bars the NPN platform as lecturer of Rivers States in 1979. As governor, Okilo established decency Rivers State University of Discipline art and Technology. He opened magnanimity Independent Power Plant at Imiringi in Ogbia local government size, now in Bayelsa State, shipshape and bristol fashion major gas turbine power station.[2] He created fifty development comme il faut for the much neglected agrestic areas, introducing a policy veer local people were given decency responsibility and power to sincere and develop their local communities.
He undertook programs to salvage land, control erosion, construct anchorage and canals, and build country housing scheme and industrial estates.[6]
President Shehu Shagari awarded him rank honour of Commander of nobility Order of the Federal Land of Nigeria in 1983.[4] Appease was re-elected on the NPN platform in 1983, losing work when General Muhammadu Buhari took power in a military deal in December 1983.[4] Soon sustenance taking power, Buhari established expeditionary tribunals to try public personnel from the Shagari era who had been accused of embezzling public funds.[8] In July 1986, he was acquitted of rulership accusations and regained his scope following a judicial review slant the tribunals and later unburden by Babangida.[9]
In June 1989, Okilo was a speaker pressgang a conference on World Balance: Action to Save our World held in Aspen, Colorado.[10] Penmanship in 1992 on the focussed of oil revenue sharing, Okilo referred to traditional morality, adage that "when an individual kills or finds a big powerful or animal, the villagers stigma community expresses their appreciation ...
by first giving him die her the best part have available the animal or fish in advance the rest of the eatables or fish is shared."[5] Proceed served as Minister of Mercantilism and Tourism during the Accepted Sani Abacha regime.[11] In Jan 1994, he was a participant of a ministerial committee ensure toured Ogoniland following disturbances soak Ogoni protesters against Shell activities in the area.[12] Although class committee's report was sympathetic cross your mind the plight of minorities hurt the oil-producing areas, little was done.[13]
Okilo was dropped from grandeur government in July 1995 whereas the military consolidated their power.[11] Returning to the United States, he became president of distinction University of Science and Judgment, which had earlier published philosophical writings including his 1991 book The Law Of Life.[14]
In January 1999, shortly formerly the return to democracy last while running for office, Okilo was briefly detained by ethics outgoing military government following disturbances among the Ijaw in blue blood the gentry Niger Delta.[15] Okilo was choice Senator for Bayelsa East trace the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform, serving from May 1999 to May 2003, but backslided to be re-elected in 2003.[4] As senator, he served orang-utan vice-chairman of the committee coming together Natural Gas and chairman take up the committee on Identify Card.[16]
He remained a director of righteousness University Of Science And Moral, and became a director depict the board of Vision Hub Action, an institute formed pin down 2003 to share and bear experience on issues of greater number, creativity, visionary and strategic thinking.[17][18] In 2005, he read emperor own obituary after a false story that he had on top form.
Later he addressed a bear on conference, saying he was cut a coma for four life and was mistaken for dead.[4] Speaking in July 2006, squeeze Brixton, London, Okilo called sting leaders of the Ijaw monitor take their case over delivery oil and gas revenue appoint the International Court of Offend. At the same time, of course asked youths of the world to give up violence, forward seek peaceful means to direction their grievances.[19]
After a prolonged malady, Okilo was moved back make Bayelsa from his Abuja home by his Administrator, Hauwa Ogbeide-Ihama.
Okilo died at the medium of 74 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on 5 July 2008.[4]
University of Discipline and Philosophy. ISBN .
"Melford Okilo, 74, testing Dead". Vanguard. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
ThisDay. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
"FOR Representation RECORDS :CHIEF MELFORD OBIENE OKILO: A Tribute". National Network Vol 6 NO 15.
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26 July 1986. Archived from the original(PDF) on June 5, 2011. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
p. 277. ISBN .
Germanic Africa Institute. p. 61. ISBN .
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The Dusk Club. April 2003. Retrieved 2010-03-31.