Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan, Abdulsalami, OPEC Congratulate Daukoru on His 80th Birthday 

* Ooni of Ife, Sultan describe him as a unifier, upright man 

*Celebrant says LGs now drain on national resources rather than devt centres 

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Eminent Nigerians from all walks of life, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, and a former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) among others, have extolled the virtues of one-time Minister of State  Petroleum Resources and the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State, Dr. Edmund Daukoru who clocks 80 today.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) where Daukoru was a former President and Secretary General  also paid glowing tributes as he joined the octogenarian club.

First class royal fathers from all parts of the country, captains of industry, clerics and the academia were also on hand at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hotel, Abuja to celebrate a man identified as a trailblazer and icon in the oil and gas industry.
In his goodwill message, Obasanjo said the celebrant has every cause to thank God for many blessings, remarkable achievements and distinguished community service worthy emulation.

He said: “You have lived a well-fulfilled life and God has been kind to you in very many ways. You have shown the path to millions and nourished positive and creative thoughts in many.
“Over the decades, you have shown uncommon courage  leadership, vision,  loyalty and unbounded patriotism to your people and your country  Nigeria.
“You have been an embodiment of love, compassion, hope  affection, discipline, and identification with the common good.”
Noting that by all measures, Daukoru has lived a worthwhile life of service to his family, community, state, nation and humanity, Obasanjo wished him good health and divine strength as well as many more years to serve his Nembe Kingdom and the country.

Also, in his goodwill message, Buhari noted that reaching the landmark age was by divine grace, noting that the celebrant has served his Nembe people, Bayelsa State at large, and Nigeria as a country,  to the best of his ability.
He prayed God to grant Daukoru longer years in good health and sound mind.
In his own goodwill message, former President Goodluck Jonathan described him as a statesman of repute, with an excellent career record of success and notable strides in public and private service.

“As a first class monarch in Bayelsa State, you have demonstrated great leadership skills beyond your immediate Kingdom. As the Chairman of South South Monarchs Forum, you have been consistent in promoting peace and advocating for the development of the people of the region,” Jonathan said.
On his part, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) described the celebrant as “a complete elder statesman , a philanthropist and patriotic Nigerian who contributed immensely to the well-being of this great nation of ours,” adding that Daukoru is an asset to this generation.

In a goodwill message signed by its Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, OPEC wished Daukoru well as he clocked 80.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is the Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and the royal father of the day at the event, supported by Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi-Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife and other top traditional rulers from across the country were present.

In his goodwill message, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III observed that although the celebrant was 80, he looked 60, and wished him 80 more years on earth.
“At 80, he looks like a 60-year-old man. He is an upright and honest person who has gone round the world. We have come a long way. This gathering shows that traditional rulers in Nigeria are united. We are not politicians with differences,” he said.
Applauding Daukoru for attracting such a huge assemblage of top Nigerians and royal fathers from all nooks and crannies of the country to honour him, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar described Daukoru as an upright man.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife who described Daukoru as a unifier, going by the way top traditional rulers from across the country gathered in his honour, and urged royal fathers to also promote togetherness in the country.

“We traditional rulers should use initiatives and platforms like this to send messages to generations yet unborn that in unity we stand. The togetherness of our country is what we are seeking; different cultures and tradition coming together for the betterment of our country,” he said.
The Ooni commended Daukoru for always attending and making useful  contributions, during all meetings of the nation’s traditional rulers.
While stating that royal fathers should use gatherings like Daukoru’s birthday to send strong messages of unity, he said, “we don’t have any other country.”
In his remarks, Daukoru noted that  Nigeria has 774  local governments, which are recognised in the constitution, and are part of the budgeting process of the states.

Noting that while their functionality and economic well-being is a prime responsibility of the states, he however, regretted that in the past two decades or three, they have become a drain on national resources instead of being development centres and the foundation of national economic production.
Daukoru lamented that it was the empty shells of the economic dream of the mid-seventies that present royal fathers have to oversee in one form or the  other.
“It is not my intention to bore you with the details of community development, but it will be a major omission on my part if I closed without saying anything at all about it.

“Nigeria has 774 LGA’s, which are recognised in the Constitution, and are part of the budgeting process of the states. Their functionality and economic well-being is a prime responsibility of the states.
“But since the past two decades, if not three, they have become a drain on national resources instead of being development centers and the foundation of national economic production.

“Thus, after all is said and done, it is these empty shells of the economic dream of the mid-seventies that the kings in the present time have to oversee in some form or other.

“The burden on us varies according to the local circumstances. I complain about mine, but we labour on in love, regardless, knowing that others may be even worse of,” said.