Iniikeiroari of Kalabari Kingdom

CITATION FOR HIGH CHIEF (DR.) O.B. LULU-BRIGGS, OON. DCF
EBUYE LULU, INIIKEIROARI V OF KALABARI, AMABELEMABO 1 OF KALABARI, EMINE 1 OF KALABARI

2011 Recipient Of Honorary Doctor Of Business Administration DBA, (Honoris Causa),
BY RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE OF TECHNOLOGY,
NKPOLU, OROWORUKWO, PORT HARCOURT

OCTOBER 15, 2011

CITATION FOR HIGH CHIEF (DR.) O.B. LULU-BRIGGS,

The life of Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF (“The Chief”) has been one dedicated to the very best traditions of public service of our beloved nation, Nigeria, During the over five and a half decades in which he has been actively involved in public service and private enterprise, he has shown exemplary vision, courage, commitment and leadership in engaging the major social, economic and political issues of the times.

The Chief began his career at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 1955 and served the organization meritoriously for a period spanning 23 years, 9 months and 13 days before retiring voluntarily as the Principal Industrial Relations Officer and Head of Division, Eastern Ports, in April 1978.

Beyond his normal course of duties, he was actively involved in the organization of the workers to ensure improved conditions of service and engender increased productivity. His record of service at NPA reveals a remarkable and uncommon ability to walk the fine line of steadfastly promoting the rights of workers in a consensual manner that minimized disruption of the operations of the ports.

He served as Secretary of the Workers Union at NPA for over 7 years-another milestone achievement because this was a position usually marked by the brevity of the tenure of the occupant of the office. The Chief was also Chairman, Maritime Trade Union Federation of the Eastern Ports from 1968-1971 and was one of the founders of the Rivers State Council of Labor and served as its President from 1970-1972.

Today, most who have had the privilege of working at the NPA would readily attest to this period as the “golden age” for workers, as the establishment took bold steps in improving the working conditions of its staff especially the provision of staff canteens and the payment of overtime to its workers for extra hours. This in turn ensured that in those years, NPA functioned as a 24 hour port and was the hub for port users in the entire West African coast.

Upon retiring from the NPA in 1978, the Chief committed himself to the political process in furtherance of his belief that there is virtue to be found in a life of public service. He was one of the founding members of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Rivers State and acted as the 1st Protem Secretary of the party’s Rivers State Branch in 1979. Thereafter, he was elected as the National Vice-Chairman for Rivers State from 1979-1980 and became National Deputy Chairman of the party from 1980- 1983.

During this period in public service, he also served as the Chairman of the National Animal Feeds Company (the precursor to the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria- NAFCON) from 1981-1983; as a director of the Rivers State Transport Corporation, 1979-1982; and as Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Idah, 1982-1983.

Throughout his involvement in politics, the Chief constantly sought to show that political power could be used as a force for positive change in our society. He believed that the primary duty of the leadership was to curb divisiveness and promote the things that bind us as a people. It is noteworthy that when that Republic was terminated, the Chief’s conduct throughout the period was found to be totally without blemish.

The most eloquent testimony to the confidence the Chief continues to enjoy as a leader amongst his people is the fact that during the botched third Republic, he contested for the position of President under the now defunct Social Democratic Party (under the Option A4) and was elected candidate for Rivers State, polling over 72% of the popular vote in a field comprising five other contestant.

When the entire process was truncated, the Chief out of principle and personal conviction elected to retire from partisan politics, and was vocal in his call for an end to military rule which he believed was taking our nation to the precipice and threatening the bonds that bind our people.

As a natural entrepreneur, the Chief turned his mind and hands to private enterprise. He successfully established Rachael Hotels, a 68-room hotel in the Port Harcourt metropolis, which has been recently refurbished to international standards and re-opened to great public acclaim.

He has always believed that an entrepreneurial class is only worthy of its name if it engages in productive activities that provide employment to the people, ensures the acquisition of skills and meets its obligations to the State in order to enhance the common good.

In 1989, the Chief founded Moni Pulo Limited, an indigenous oil exploration and production company. The company is arguably one of the most successfully run indigenous oil company and has provided ample justification for the policy of encouraging Nigerians to become directly involved in the upstream sector of the oil industry.

The company currently employs a 100% indigenous workforce of professionals, comprising among others-engineers, geologists and accountants. The company has maintained an enviable record in the continuous training of its staff and regularly provides grants for specialized training in its core areas.

As Chairman/CEO of Moni Pulo, the Chief has sought to make the company a leader in the area of corporate social responsibility and this has ensured that it continues to enjoy the total support of its host communities in its area of operations. The company has received uncommon praise from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Government of Cross River State, the Government and relevant community associations of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources, for its outstanding activities in this area. The company continues to meet all its obligations to the treasury in a timely manner and is in good standing with the regulatory authorities in the industry.

Again, the diversity of the work force in Moni Pulo reflects the vision the Chief has for the future of our great nation, Nigeria. For him, our national diversity is a source of strength which must be harnessed in order to realize our full potentials as a people.

A firm believer in and early advocate of the local content policy of the present administration, the Chief holds the view that the policy, though admirable, would require the active support of the private sector to create avenues for Nigerians to acquire the requisite skill sets to become involved in the highly competitive oil and gas industry.

To this end, the Chief’s company Moni Pulo annually provides scholarships in Nigeria to over 200 deserving albeit financially incapacitated students. This is in addition to the Moni Pulo International Scholars Program which used to provide an average of 20 grants annually for undergraduate and graduate studies in overseas institutions. The Chiefs own linkages have also ensured that thus far, all the scholars have returned home to Nigeria after their courses of study and are contributing their quota to national development.

The Chief has also made a sizeable endowment to the Department of Petroleum Engineering in the University of Texas at Austin in the USA which has made it possible for indigent but gifted students worldwide to pursue their education in that renowned institution.

In addition, the Chief has contributed to the welfare of students in the Niger Delta by donating N150 million to the Niger Delta University, located in Bayelsa State. The funds were specifically used for the construction of befitting ultramodern hostels for the students – a much needed amenity which is sadly so often overlooked and compromised on. This is a reflection of the Chief’s fundamental and abiding interest in creating an enabling environment for those seeking educational advancement. The hostel blocks have since been commissioned and handed over to the university authorities. Furthermore, he donated a N50 million Health Center to the University of Port Harcourt and under the aegis of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation; High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs built, equipped and donated three science laboratories to three secondary schools in Rivers State.

The Chief is also the Chairman of Lubrick Construction Company; one of the foremost, professional and fast growing construction outfits in Nigeria. All that the Chief does or is associated with is underpinned by the spirit of excellence, which is one of his values.

Underpinning the day to day running of his businesses, is the Chiefs deep and abiding faith in the salvation offered by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For him, the greatest gift he can give anyone, at this point in his life and walk of faith, is to lead as many people as possible to faith in Jesus Christ.

Apart from personal acts of evangelism, the Chief uses the ‘vehicle’ of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Campaign for Christ to carry out this God-given assignment.

The Chief believes that his life is a testament to the unending grace and mercy of God and has therefore supported his faith through his blessings which he believes ultimately come from God. He has been a benefactor to several churches, contributing to various building funds and soliciting for support for the churches.

In recognition of the Chiefs good works, communities around Nigeria have also conferred chieftaincy titles on him. In 1991, the paramount ruler of Owo conferred on him, the title of Efun-Alaye and later in the same year, the Obowu clan of Imo State conferred another title on him. In 2007, he was conferred with the rare title of High Chief ke Efik Eburutu by the Obong of Calabar; in 2008 he was made the Opomulero of Ijero Kingdom by the Oba of Ijero Ekiti and in March 2009, he was made the Mene Doole (Chief of Philanthropy) of Bangha Kingdom, Ogoni, by the Mene Suanu. The Amanyanabo of Kalahari conferred on him the title, Emine of Kalahari. He is also the Paramount Chief and Head of Oruwari Group of Houses in Abonnema.

Beyond all this, what is paramount to the Chief is his role of peacemaker and broker which he has performed with great distinction in several communities in the Niger Delta. The Chief’s unobtrusive involvement in those things that make for harmonious community life but do not make headline news in the local or national dailies is what constitutes the most enduring contribution of this remarkable Nigerian. His personal integrity, charisma and leadership have proven very useful in winning the confidence of all sides in these conflicts as an honest broker of the peace.

This is particularly remarkable given the Chief’s dual role as the founder and operator of a major indigenous oil exploration/production company and at the same time, a respected community leader in the heartland of our nation’s delta region, where most of our country’s developmental challenges are amplified by the ‘politics of oil and gas production’.

He has continued to work with other stakeholders to develop lasting strategies for conflict resolution and bridge building between communities, non­governmental organizations, public servants and the private sector. His diplomacy, candor and sense of fairness have earned him the respect of all concerned parties, which is extremely vital to resolving most of the ensuing conflicts. Indeed, his has been a voice of calm, civility and restraint in the way we deal with the challenges which confront our Nation at this time.

Thus , over time, the Chief has been responsible for, amongst other things, bringing about reconciliation amongst the warring factions of the Tombia and Bakana communities in Rivers State; a conflict which had seemingly defied every possible resolution and had exacted a needless toll on lives and property. He has also been responsible for reconciling the princes and chiefs of Buguma in the conflicts that arose over the ascension to the throne of the Amayanabo of Kalahari. The Chief was also instrumental in re­uniting the Abonnema community with the Briggs War Canoe House and ensuring that Briggs chiefs regain their position in the Abonnema council of chiefs.

The Chief continues to seek peaceful solutions to conflict situations in the Niger Delta based on a deep conviction that ultimately, no meaningful development can take place without peace and, stability.

As an elder statesman, he continues to make himself available to contending interests in the political divide and acts as a voice of reason and moderation amongst the political class whose passion in the quest for power and advantage can sometimes endanger the health of the society. It was in recognition of this, alongside his milestone achievements in the field of politics and entrepreneurship, that in 2010, the respected national daily, Thisday newspaper, bestowed the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award on him.

High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs continues to promote worthy causes all over the land and has devoted all of his working life to the pursuit of the common good through the creation of wealth, increasing of opportunities and the exercise of leadership with responsibility. He has affected so many lives in a very profound and real sense with his compassion and belief that all men are brothers.

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