Governor Okowa celebrates Darah at 70

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa hailed the former Chairman, The Guardian Editorial Board, Prof. Godini Gabriel Darah as he turned 70 yesterday.

In a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, the governor extolled Darah’s virtues and contributions to the intellectual and socio-cultural advancement of the Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria at large.

“Darah’s most beguiling attribute is his versatile and profound insights into a wide range of academic endeavours, which was complemented by his utter commitment to the development of scholarship and culture,” Okowa said.

He commended Darah for the many articles and several lectures he delivered on Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism, adding: “Indeed the people of the Niger Delta owe him a great deal for his scholarly and journalistic contributions, which gave birth to the 13 per cent derivation principle.

“His sterling and scholarly contributions to Folklore and Literature and his multidisciplinary engagements in the domains of Culture, Politics, History, Law, Sociology, Philosophy, Media and Communication is legendary, commendable and worthy of emulation.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I felicitate with the Ogberianrien (the giant of knowledge) of Ughievwen Kingdom on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary celebration.”