By Moses Siloko Siasia
The name Kingsley Kuku resonates with human capacity development and selfless service. It’s the name of a bridge-builder and vibrant transformational figure who in words and deeds established himself an important reference point in the public service annals of Nigeria.
The story of Ghana cannot be told without making mention of Kwame Nkrumah. In the same light, the liberation struggle in South Africa will always be dominated by the name of late Madiba, Dr. Nelson Mandela.
Likewise, the story of lasting peace restoration and transformation of the lives of former agitators in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria with its resultant effect in the scaling up of the nation’s daily crude oil output from 680,000 barrels to over 2.2 million barrels per day cannot be told without mentioning the invaluable contributions of Hon. Kuku.
Fully known as Dr. Kingsley Valentine Kuku, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria will forever remember him as a dream maker, an icon of hope who was driven by the passion for the common good and prosperity of his people and country.
Thanks to Kuku’s transformational leadership as head of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), the once hopeless now stand tall in society and are making positive impacts around the globe.
His belief in education as a vital tool for building a strong society has seen tens of thousands of Niger Delta and Nigerian youths obtain government scholarships and funding to be trained in different fields of endeavours across the world.
Today, those trained under the educational program made possible under the stewardship of Hon. Kuku are contributing meaningfully to the economic growth of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
A good number of the ex-agitators were enlisted in flight training schools at Oxford, England and Lufthansa, Germany. Some others equally undertook helicopter training in Italy. It must be noted that nearly all the students that were enrolled for flight training are now qualified, pilots.
The birthdays of most great men are often than not heralded with glowing tributes, heartfelt felicitations and kingly celebrations.
It is an indisputable fact that a greater part of the 52 years of Hon. Kuku’s existence has been dedicated to the cause of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
There is no doubt that the place of the Arogbo Ijaw-born politician and environmental rights activist has been safely preserved in the nation’s history.
Kuku, therefore, deserves nothing short of a kingly birthday celebration as he marks 52 today.
Happy birthday to the Awolowo of Ijaw Nation who bridged the wide gap between the poor and the rich, engineered overwhelming development, and availed the people access to rewards for hard work.
As we celebrate this great citizen of our beloved country @52, may the Almighty God continue to perfect that which concerns him. We celebrate with you Dr. Kingsley Valentine Kuku today and always.
Moses Siloko Siasia
Chairman of Mosilo Group and Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF).
