President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) commenced with a solemn minute of silence in tribute to the late Papa Edwin Clark, a founding figure of PANDEF, who passed away on 17 February.
The meeting, which took place at the Council Chambers of the State, discussed issues related to Rivers State and the South South Development Commission.
The delegation, led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF, included Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF, Seriake Dickson, and Mike Ozakhome.
Other prominent members included former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe; Jaja of Opobo, Dandeson Jaja; Ita Enang; Bassey Henshaw; Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Uche Secondus; Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM), Prince Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, former Minister of Tourism, Edem Duke; Ann-Kio Briggs; and spokesman of PANDEF, Obiwevbi Ominimini.
The meeting is one of a series of meetings between the President and Niger Delta leaders..l
On 21 January 2025, President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders from Rivers State, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, and leaders from the Ogoni communities.
The discussions centred on advancing the Ogoni cleanup project and addressing environmental and developmental concerns in the Niger Delta.
The President emphasised the need for unity and collaboration to heal past wounds and foster progress, stating, ‘We can’t heal past wounds if we continue to be angry.’
