By Onomiguren Agbamu
In recognition of his commitment towards peace building in Niger Delta, Youth empowerment and media support, the indigenous correspondent chapel, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta state council has conferred and decorated a Delta Born Activist, Chief sheriff Mulade as “patron” of the chapel.
Chief Sheriff Mulade is an Environmentalist of note and National Coordinator, Centre For Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ).
He is also an Ambassador, United Nation (UN) and doubles as the Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom) Kingdom Lifter of the Great Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri south west local government area of the State.
Speaking during the decoration at Ugolo-Okpe on Thursday 15th, of August 2024, the chairman of Indigenous correspondent, comrade Kenneth Orusi revealed that he Mulade was chosen following his antecedents and voice of the voiceless across Nigeria and beyond.
Orusi added that “as a indigenous chapel, we are critics of government policies and programmes that are not beneficial to the grassroot, and we see in you someone who is actually trending on the same path of activists that are doing their jobs.
He maintained that “ICC equally looked at your campaigns for the welfare of the people around the coastal areas where the crude oil that is feeding the Nation comes from”.
The chairman, however, expressed belief that he Mulade’s strong advocacy for the creation of Coastal Areas Development Agency (CADA), to look into the development of the coastal communities in the State, may have led to the creation of the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure by the state Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, following the support he gave to CADA, while he was Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
He urged the newly chapel Patron to rise to the challenge and put the government on its toes so that the Directorate won’t suffer under funding as seen in previous governments.
According to him “we are using this opportunity and platform to call on you that you should not rest particularly now that this ministry has been created, it gives you more opportunity for more advocacy. We have seen situation where government create agencies or parastatal but were not funded”.
“It is time for you to raise your voice to see that the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure is adequately funded, and our brother is given the opportunity and privilege to do the work why the agency was established”.
Orusi, tasked him on the need for peace to return to Okoloba and Okuama communities in Bomadi and Ughelli south local government areas of the State and other communities where there are pockets of crisis and insecurity, particularly in the Riverine communities.
In his response, Chief Mulade, appreciate the leadership of the indigenous chapel for finding him worthy to be considered as patron of the chapel.
He said, “let me congratulate your chapel for this laudable initiative. I am a bit short of words because I didn’t expect this.
“I am open to every progressive forum. My vision and calling is to support every progressive organization, movement, society, or nation. I have not even contributed enough to the society as I want. However, I want to thank you for finding me worthy of this position.
“I want to assure you that I will not disappoint you, I will not fail you. We will do everything humanly possible to support and assist the Chapel.
“Like I said, my organization’s door, is open and as a person, my individual door is also open. Whenever you need our attention, do not hesitate to reach out so that we can continue to move together to contribute to the betterment of the State”, he said.
Share this story to friends