Encomiums rains on Agediga as he gets exemplary leadership award from Delta Ijaw Comrade Community
He noted that Amb. Agediga has truely mentored lots of leaders across the region, adding that he is happy to be part of the programme while speaking among other issues.
“This symposium in honour of Ambassador Comrade Shedrack Agediga, Executive Director, ED, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC by the Delta State Ijaw Comrade Community, is the beginning of a clarion call for dedication and service to reposition Ijaw nation towards high productivity, a sense of purpose and direction.
“Reflecting on the antecedents of Agediga, necessitates the need for responsible, painstaking Ijaw patriots to synergize and create the enabling environment for us to bring down mountainous challenges facing the Ijaw nation.
“Education, is the bedrock of societal growth, modernisation, urbanisation, sophistication and all round integration. Only an educated society can breed and groom productive leaders for nation building. It is sad to say that our terrain is educationally sidelined, disadvantaged and neglected. The few privileged educated people in our area paid dearly to be outstanding academically.
“The sad story is that in spite of our huge contributions to the national economy, we have very enormous challenges. The only federal presence in our area is the Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State which is still at its temporary site since 2015.
“The School of Marine Technology, Burutu also faces numerous challenges ranging from lack of professional manpower and standard training facilities. Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo the only private institution owned by an Ijaw man, is not affordable by the less privileged Ijaw people. This point to the fact that our leaders and representatives at all levels of government should do everything possible to attract Federal Polytechnics and standard Colleges of Education to Ijaw land.
“Ijaw representatives should consider education at primary and secondary levels in all Ijaw communities especially the coastal communities.
“The need for sustainable development in the coastal communities and our neighbours informed the clamour for the creation of Coastal Area Development Commission, CADA to help accommodate and proffer solution to infrastructural deficit facing our rural communities. Non oil producing communities should also have some sense of belonging to a Commission that prioritizes developmental needs.
“A sense of Justice for all is the foundation of peace. Economic Justice, Social Justice, Environmental Justice, Political Justice and fairness will create a sense of security.
“Agediga is a Niger Delta Peace Ambassador and an Advocate of Peace, former Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, and currently the Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC) and Chairman/Founder of Shedrack Agediga Foundation.
“We appreciate and value all your contributions especially in the area of annual training of youths on leadership and conflict management, as well as workshops and seminars on peace building and mentorship including women empowerment programmes through skills acquisition and scholarship programmes for indigent students through his Foundation.
“He was instrumental to the Federal Amnesty Programme. Without the likes of Comrade Shedrack Agediga, there would be no Amnesty programme and the relative peace being enjoyed by Nigerians particularly those in the Niger Delta Region.” Mulade stated.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community, Prince Comr. Austin Ozobo noted that the practical and visible contributions of Agediga towards the growth and development of Niger Delta region and many other services earned him the award.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Chief (Dr) Julius Takeme, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chairman Delta South; Chief Emman Ambgaduba, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State; Mrs Rosemary Graham Naingba, national president Ijaw Women Connect worldwide, Hon. Tomwilly Ebiakpo and others too numerous to mention.