As the remains of the late Architect Chief Piniki Azaiye Duwogbegha (PAD) is laid to rest today (Thursday, October 10, 2024) at a funeral ceremony in Oporoza Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, we at PENGlobal are reminded of the roles akin to activist that the Ganpamowei played in seeking for social justice for his people and the Niger Delta region.

The late Architect Chief PAD was a personality admired by many for his quiet disposition, good nature and philanthropic works. In addition, he is a vocal personality who does not shy away from baring his mind on public issues, especially when it affects the generality of the masses and his people.

PENGlobal brings to you some of the comments of the Ganpamowei as he shares some insights on issues affecting the kingdom and the Niger Delta region at large. Below are some of his remarks as culled from the media space.

1️⃣ EAST-WEST ROAD

To begin, on the popular East-West Road in the Niger Delta region that has been neglected by the federal government over the years and that has been causing hardship for road users, he poured his thoughts on the issue when he said:

"East west road hasn't been touched since Buhari came to power; Onitsha second bridge [second Niger Bridge] was used for campaign and abandon, most ongoing projects stopped since Buhari came into power, people from the region are restive when monies to service the country budget is from the region." – Culled from his official account @APiniki on X (formerly Twitter) which was posted on 22 October 2019.

2️⃣ STATE NEGLECT OF RIVERINE AREAS

Speaking on the state government neglect of rural riverine communities during the tenure of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Ganpamowei said:

“The governor should do something urgently to correct this imbalance in the riverine areas. Moreover, he should remember that the problem Niger Delta is having with the federal government is the same the state government has. Looking at what the governor did in the hinterland, one is forced to ask if riverine communities are not part of the state or is it that he forgot the riverine local government areas or he purposefully ignored them. It is as if he has forgotten his campaign promises to the riverine local government areas of the state” — Culled from 'One-year in office: Delta govt’s neglected riverine communities – Ijaw leader', as published in Vanguard Newspaper Online on June 28, 2016.

3️⃣ INTIMIDATION OF TOMPOLO

On the constant federal government-led Muhammadu Buhari administration's intimidation of the foremost Ijaw leader, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, the founder of the Pinaza Conglomerate said:

“The consistent harassment and intimidation of Tompolo will be counter- productive and I advise the Federal Government to see dialogue as a better option, rather than employing military might that has today raised tension in the Niger Delta." — Culled from 'Hunt for Tompolo’ll backfire —N-Delta youth leader' as published in Vanguard Newspaper Online on March 3, 2016.

4️⃣ ON ALLEGED SCRAPPING OF NMU

Speaking on the attempt by the then Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) project proposed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the first if its kind maritime institute in Gbaramatu Kingdom and in the Niger Delta region, the Architect and leader bared out his mind when he said:

“The university will provide jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerians and further stem the tide of youth restiveness in the riverine communities that has been without any form of tertiary institution. So, why are they cancelling it? I think the Federal Government should stop playing politics with development, as every part of [the] country deserves government’s attention and development. Before government came out with the decision, the Minister of transportation should have visited the site for on–the- spot assessment of work done. He cannot sit in Abuja and cancel a project of such magnitude, which is capable of lifting the economy of the area, and raise the standard of living of the people.” — Culled from 'Hunt for Tompolo’ll backfire —N-Delta youth leader' as published in Vanguard Newspaper Online on March 3, 2016.

5️⃣ VISIT OF OSINBAJO TO NIGER DELTA

On the official visit by the former vice president of Nigeria, His Excellency, Yemi Osinbajo SAN, to the Niger Delta region with special focus on the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) at Kurutie Community, the Architect said:

“We are happy that the Vice President is coming to Gbaramatu Kingdom and we are prepared to receive him. At Kurutie, which is the temporary take-off site of  NMU, Okerenkoko, the classrooms have been cleaned up. The institution is dear to us and we want it to commence academic activities. Our women, youths, children and the different groups are cheerful and the arena, where he will address the people is also ready.” - Culled from 'Osinbajo’s N-Delta visit: Tompolo’s kinsmen jubilant, arrange dance troupes' as published in Vanguard Newspaper Online on January 16, 2017.

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