PANDEF Set to Transform South-South Development Under Visionary Leadership of Amb. Dr. Godknows Igali
In a landmark convergence of the apex socio-political organization of the Niger Delta, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has reinforced its position as the undisputed voice and strategic engine of the South-South region. Under the dynamic, high-minded, and visionary stewardship of its National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, alongside the esteemed Chairman of the Board of Trustees, His Excellency Obong Victor Attah, the forum convened a crucial joint meeting of its Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee in Abuja and virtually. The high-powered assembly brought together an unprecedented coalition of former governors, former ministers, first-class traditional rulers, political leaders, and eminent opinion leaders representing Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.
The historic meeting opened with rich, solemn tributes paying honor to the founding fathers and visionary forebears who laid the groundwork for regional unity. PANDEF leadership commended the decade-long journey of coalescing disparate regional entities—such as the South-South People’s Assembly, South-South Concert Assembly, TROMPCON, HOSTCOM, and various ethnic organizations—into a single, formidable umbrella. Special homage was paid to the memory of iconic figures including Chief Dr. E.K. Clark, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Senate President Joseph Wayas, Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Tonye Graham Douglas, alongside revered traditional rulers and elder statesmen whose enduring legacies continue to inspire the forum’s current momentum.
Demonstrating exceptional executive drive and diplomatic finesse, Ambassador Igali and the PANDEF leadership presented a compelling review of the forum’s stellar achievements over its first decade of active advocacy. Since presenting its landmark 16-Point Agenda to the Federal Government in 2016, PANDEF has consistently driven regional progress, leading directly to the establishment of the South-South Development Commission, the operationalization of the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko, and the upgrading of the Maritime Academy in Oron. Through strategic mediation and proactive engagement, the forum has also maintained its role as an indispensable peacebuilder, actively facilitating crisis resolution in Rivers State, mediating the Akwa Ibom-Cross River oil well dispute, and fostering inter-ethnic harmony in Warri.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental justice, PANDEF issued a resolute demand for immediate action on the lingering ecological damages across the Niger Delta after more than six decades of intensive oil and gas exploitation. Under Ambassador Igali’s steadfast leadership, the forum called for transparent and sustained funding for the ongoing Ogoni clean-up programme while demanding a comprehensive, scalable framework to replicate remediation efforts in heavily impacted areas like Nembe Creek in Bayelsa State, Odidi in Delta State, and Kula in Rivers State. PANDEF also challenged all presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections to outline clear, time-bound, and practical plans for environmental restoration and sustainable economic development.
In a bold push for fiscal federalism and constitutional fairness, PANDEF insisted on a fundamental restructuring of revenue allocation models to benefit oil-producing communities. The forum demanded an urgent upward revision of the derivation allocation from the current 13% minimum to at least 50%, citing the immense ecological burden and economic sacrifices borne by the region. Furthermore, PANDEF called on the National Assembly, the Federal Government, and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to enact legislative measures abolishing the contentious onshore/offshore dichotomy, pointing out that offshore spills severely disrupt the marine ecosystems and fishing livelihoods of coastal populations regardless of technical.
