KNOWING THE MAN KING DR EDMUND
PART 2
7.6 HM’s technical professional publications were a benchmark in
the two decades spanning the 1970’s and 1990’s, and remain of historic interest
to a younger generation of petroleum geologists to this day. His analysis of
the geostatic phenomenon called “Overpressure”; the co-authored papers “ the
Geology of the Niger Delta’’, presented at the Tokyo World Petroleum Congress
in May,1975; and “the Niger Delta Hydrocarbon Kitchen” continue to be of
technical interest to upstream oil sector professionals even of the present
generation.8.0 GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS 8.1 While still with Shell, HM was
singularly opportuned to be exposed to public institutions. He was appointed to
the Governing Council of the Rivers State College of Science and Technology and
a little later, into the Board of Rivers State Rubber Corporation. At the
federal level, he was a member of the National Board for Technical Education
(NBTE) as representative of the Oil and Gas Sector.8.2 In 2003, HM was
appointed the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and the Alternate Chairman of
the Corporate Board of NNPC. By mid-2005, he was appointed Minister of State,
becoming full minister of Energy (Petroleum and Power combined) by end 2006.HM
thus became the only person to have: -become Group Managing Director, NNPC from
the private sector.-become Petroleum Adviser, Minister of State and full
Minister under the same Administration. - Held the combined portfolios of
Federal Ministries of Power and Petroleum. -Held the positions of Group
Managing Director, Board Chairman of NNPC, and Minister of Energy (Petroleum
and Power) in a career span. 8.3 On the international scene, HM represented
Nigeria so effectively that by end-2004, he was unanimously elected by his OPEC
colleagues as Alternate President for the year 2005. The next year, he became
both President and Secretary General, a combined position, that vested on him
the full administration of the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, as well as being the
global spokesman of the Organisation. HM maintained immense global visibility,
to the pride of both Nigeria and OPEC, to such extent that the hosting of the
end-2006 Conference of OPEC was conceded to Nigeria ahead of other claimants
whose turn was due. The Conference, the first in a long time, endorsed his key
legacies such as: The policy thrust was to create a linkage in which those who
were willing to invest in our oil and gas prospects, also had to commit to
develop our infrastructure. HM popularized the slogan, ‘we use what we have to
get what we want’. In the course of his international assignments he has had
direct interactions on energy diplomacy with the following: President
Ahmadinejad of Iran, King fahd of Saudi Arabia President Hugo Chavez of
Venezuela President Rolite Hu of S. Korea (Late) President De Muezes of Sao
Tome and Principe President John Kuffuo of Ghana, President Umar al basher of
Sudan, and President Dos Santos of Angola 8.5 These and many more of his
achievements in the skillful management of the global energy concerns of the
1st decade of the 21st Century, earned Nigeria immense prestige both globally
and in OPEC, and resulted in an award of an Honorary Doctoral Degree in
Economics by the University of Seoul, S. Korea and an Honorary Citizenship of
the City of Calgary in Canada. As Petroleum Minister, HM was Nigeria’s
representative in the following international organizations: - OPEC (already
discussed) APPA (African Petroleum Producers Association: President once) -
AGPA (African Gas Producers Association) - Nigeria/Sao Tome JDC (Joint Development
Commission: Co-Chairman) - WAGPC (West African Gas Pipeline Commission: Chairman once -
IEA(International Energy Association - GCERT Gas Consumers and Exporters Round
Table - Chaired the two yearly OPEC Seminar that brought together CEO’s of all
the Integrated Multinational Oil Companies, Petroleum Ministers of all major
producing Countries, Policy makers in major petroleum consuming countries etc.
9. His Majesty has the following Awards to his credit: - Fellow of Imperial
College (Only two Africans have been so honoured to date, the other being Dr.
Rilwan Lukman). - Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum
Explorationists - Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society -
Fellow of Federal School of Surveyors, Oyo. - Member of the Hall fame, Nigerian
Petroleum Sector (highest category along with five others, including Chief
Philip Asiodu, Dr Rilwan Lukman and Alh Shehu Ali Monguno. 9.1 In recognition
of his professional contributions to the nation in this highly strategic
sector, HM was honoured with the award of Commander of the Order of the Niger
(CON) in 2007. 10. Shortly after that HM ascended the throne of the Ancient
Kingdom of Nembe as the Mingi XII, in a dynasty founded by Mingi the Great of
revered memory, in the early 1700’s after the overthrow of a rival claimant to
the throne, already established by their common ancestor, Kala Ekule. The Nembe
Kingdom dates back to the 13th Century as established by authoritative
historical sources.10.1 The Amanyanabo of Nembe Stool has been a first Class
Stool since 1958. In the Eastern Region of that time it was one of only eight
stools that were on schedule A (along with the Obi of Onitsha, Obi of Oguta,
Eze-Aro of Arochukwu, King Jaja of Opobo, King Amachree of Kalabari, and King
Perekule of Bonny). These eight were the only ones recognized as pre-1914
(amalgamation)Teaty Kings. * It is worth recalling that the sack of the Royal
Niger Company’s trading station at Akassa in 1895 by King Koko, the 8th Mingi
of Nembe resulted in the review of British Colonial policy to the benefit of
all other ethnic nationalities, both before and after the 1914 amalgamation.
The Stool has been graced by such historically renowned names as King Boy Amain
(Mingi IV), who paid the ransome to free the Lander Brothers from King Osai of
Aboh; King Constantine Ockiya (Mingi VI) who first accepted Christian
missionaries into what is now Bayelsa State; and lately, by the late Justice
Ambroce E. Alagoa (Mingi XI), a former Chief Judge of Rivers State.10.2 Since
ascending the throne of his forefathers after completing a meritorious service
in Government, HM has been involved in various activities, making significant
contribution to national unity, peace and progress.10.2.1 He is now for the
third year, the Chairman of the forum of senior traditional rulers in the six
States of the South-South geopolitical zone, which he helped found in 2009. The
membership of over 180, includes such well known natural rulers as the Obong of
Calabar, the Olu of Warri, the Orodje of Okpe (vice-Chairman), the Asagba of
Asaba, King Jaja of Opobo, King Amachree of Kalabari, the Oba of Benin
(represented), and many others. The Forum has one chapter in each State, headed
by the Chairman of the Traditional Council of that State.10.2.2 Under his leadership,
three very high profile annual retreats have been held (2009, 2010 and 2011)
addressing the key national challenges of our time such as security, national
unity, grass-root development, and the proper role of royal fathers in a
democratic dispensation.10.2.3 Close to the 2011 General Elections, the Forum
under his able leadership, undertook an unprecedented first of a kind, national
tour to dialogue with virtually all the prominent traditional rulers across
Nigeria including , The Ooni of Ife, The Sultan of Sokoto, The Shehu Borno, The
Lamido of Adamawa, The Emirs of Gwandu, Zazau, Katsina and Kano, as well as the
Obi of Onitsha, and many senior rulers in the South-East, convened by HRM Eze
Ilomuanya.10.2.4 His Majesty has equally been at the forefront of the
initiative to gain recognition for Traditional Rulers in the Nigerian
Constitution. In this respect he led a delegation of South South Monarchs to
the National Assembly in 2010 to submit a memorandum, and is presently a member
of the Steering Group of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria,
NCTRN led by His royal Highness Alh (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar CFR - Etsu Nupe,
championing a pre-emptive legislation (already through Second Reading) ahead of
an anticipated Constitutional Amendment.10.2.5 HM is a member of the National
Council of Traditional Rulers, by recognition of the antiquity of his Stool as
well as the leadership role he is playing as leader of the monarchs in the
South-South geopolitical zone.11.0 Within his own domain, HM has brought
enduring peace and stability, where once there was persistent strife occasioned
by violent youth activities and primordial rivalries between sub-kingdoms. This
is very significant not only for sake of peace, but also for the national
economy, to which this kingdom contributes immensely in oil production. The
Nembe Creek oil field and others within the Nembe Kingdom boast of over 1
billion barrels of oil reserves and a combined production potential of over
250,000 bbls of oil per day, besides contributing gas to the NLNG. The asset
value of the evacuating systems, including flow stations, pipelines, manifolds
and flow lines runs into almost a billion dollars in value, all dependent for
their protection on his wise and peaceful reign.12.0. His immense life time
contributions to the economic development, peace, and harmony of the nation,
have kept him in the public eye for almost two decades, and still counting. It
is our prayer therefore that the time is ripe now for this towering achiever of
extraordinary modesty, His Majesty Dr. Edmund M. Daukoru, Mingi XII, the
Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State, to be honoured with a CFR
(Commander of the Federal Republic)
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