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Information reaching National Wire news desk this morning has it that activities marking the 15th memorial in honour of the late first executive governor of the old Rivers state, Chief(Senator) Melford Okilo would begin today, Tuesday, 4th through tomorrow, Wednesday, 5th July, 2023.
An order of programme of activities made available to Newsman by the 15th memorial organizing committee, led by Engr. Ebipuado Sapre-Obi and the Secretary, Dr(Barr) Godswill Ikuli noted that the memorial event would kickstart at the auditorium of the Dr.Gabriel Okara Cultural centre, Yenagoa with a symposium.
A Statement from the committee noted that three different lecture series have been slated as part of the event.
The Committee also stated that the events are organized in conjunction with the Melford Okilo Foundation.
To this end, the organizers have emphasized that on the day-one of the programme, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Scardenevian and Chairman, Governing council, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali would deliver the first lecture series titled,
‘Melford Okilo: The Legacy of a National Pathfinder’.
The committee’s statement reads in parts: “Lecture number two to commemorate the event is captioned, ‘Melford Obiene Okilo’s Vision on Unity and Good Governance in Nigeria: Lessons for the Niger Delta Region’ and it would be given by Prof Ambily Etekpe, Professor of Political science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
“The third lecture for the day-one of the memorial, titled ‘Grassroot Development: A Legacy of His Excellency, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo’ would be given by Dr. Steven Olali, Bayelsa State Historian and Chief Archivist. While there’ld also be panel discussions and issuance of a Communiqué.”
Further information regarding activities lined up for the day-two of the memorial slated for Wednesday, 5th July 2023 at the late Sage’s home town, Emakalakala, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state according to the committee include, a memorial service, wreath laying ceremony at the late ex-Governor’s mausoleum, as well as a media interface, amongst others.
