Edmund Dakouru bags Nelson Mandela award

A former Secretary General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC) and a one-time Minister of Petroleum, Chief Edmund Daukoru, has been awarded with the prestigeous Nelson Mandela Pan-African Exemplary Leadership Award 2016.

The award was bestowed upon Daukoru, who is the Amanayabo (king) of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, by youths from 25 African countries comprising Nigeria, Mali, Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin, among others.

The award ceremony, which took place at King Koko Square in Nembe, witnessed a large crowd of dignitaries, well wishers and subjects of the Mingi D Xii.

The youths, under the aegis of African Youth Global Network, based in Ghana, said Daukoru was carefully selected for the award having met the criteria through his excellent public service and leadership acumen.

The Country Representative of AYGN, Mr. Paul Kekeh, said the honour given to the septuagenarian was to promote excellence by encouraging individuals, institutions, organisations and public office holders in various human endeavours.

Kekeh also said it was an award for leaders with overwhelming records across the African continent who had distinguished themselves convincingly through quality services to humanity in the country and the continent.

In similar vein, Daukoru also received an honorary Ph.D award from ISFOP Benin University, Republic of Benin.

The President/Vice-Chancellor of ISFOP Benin University, Prof. Marius Dakpogan, said the conferment of the Honoris Causa was due to the monarch’s outstanding leadership in the field of education and humanity.

In his response, Daukoru said he was humbled by the two prestigeous awards coming almost at the same time, noting that they would only spur him to do more for humanity.
He urged leaders across the continent to always place premium on the youth, saying that ignoring the youth would spell doom for the future.

King Daukoru, who doubles as the Chaiman of South-South Traditonal Rulers Council, said he was elated that youths, who were always more critical of the elders, decided to honour him.

“It is humbling that the youth, who are quite more critical of elders are honouring me today. I will continue to be one of you and to work for the welfare of you. To ignore the youth is to say bye-bye to our future,” he said.

In their seperate speeches, former military administrator of Delta and Ebonyi states, Walter Feghabor, and former Commissioner for Information in Bayelsa, Chief Nathan Egba, both of whom are members of Nembe Council of Chiefs, said they were proud to have Daukoru as their King.