Left to Right: Former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Uganda, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru; Chief Host of the dual celebration and former Presidential Aide on Amnesty, Dr. Kingsley Kuku; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Prof Oyesoji Aremu who represented the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Bode Ayorinde as the Special Guest at the launching of the Ondo PDP spokesman, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei’s autobiography titled A Ropework: An Autobiography, and his 60th birthday celebration in Akure the Ondo State capital, on Saturday, December 7, 2024
The spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ondo State, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei has called the government’s attention to what he called the endangered Niger Delta Region of Nigeria,
Speaking on Saturday at the launching of his autobiography titled A Ropework: An Autobiography, in Akure the Ondo State capital, he said that his desire to call attention to the deplorable living conditions of the people of the country’s Niger Delta Region motivated the book’s writing.
He said: “But for the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, some of us would have ended up as fishermen or palm wine tappers.”
The book’s launching went together with the celebration of his 60th birthday.
For instance, he said that Arogbo, his hometown, is not connected to the national grid today.
Also, Peretei noted the region’s peculiar terrain which makes it difficult to develop,
Besides, he said he wished to tell his story in his own words, noting that “It is because Nigerians were slow to tell their own story that made it easy for the white men to tell us that, Mungo Park discovered River Niger.’
According to him: “There are so many great stories that are interred in cemeteries across the globe. Some children know nothing about their parents, not that the parents died young but simply because those involved wrote down nothing. This, l consider as a disservice to the world. If you cannot write your story, tell someone who can help you document it.”
Recalling that his kinsman and former President Goodluck Jonathan once stunned the world when he said he went to school barefooted, Peretei said this “was not just a Jonathan story, it is a reality of the Niger Delta even today.:
He said, “Even some of us considered to come from privileged backgrounds wore shoes only on Christmas or New Year days throughout primary school. Arogbo, my home town is not connected to the national grid even in this 21st century. Therefore, to have survived that environment to clock 60 calls for the biggest celebration.”
His words: “However, in line with the present economic realities, what is being put together is not a celebration of abundance, but a deliberate effort to bring more people out from an endangered environment to what Maryam Babangida famously referred to as “Better Life For Rural women”.
“Through the Book Launch of today, funds realized will be committed to educating the endowed children who are shut out from getting an education simply because of where we come from. But for the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, some of us would have ended up as fishermen or palm wine tappers.
“I am glad that political leaders some of whom are in positions to affect the future of our children are in this hall. Education is the surest instrument of reengineering the development of any society. Therefore, no effort must be spared to deliver quality education if we are not to be consigned to the dustbin of history over time.
Peretei said: “Today is not the day that I clocked 60. My actual birthday was on Monday, 2nd December, 2024. I therefore use this opportunity to appreciate and thank all those who practically deified me on that day. I was overwhelmed by the prayers and encomiums from people in no small measure who made the day very great for me. Once again, I thank all of you.
“I have no intention to make a long speech today as it is customary with politicians. I have invited you my friends and well-wishers to this celebration and book launch for two reasons:
“To appreciate God Almighty for His Mercies for these 60 years. Not everybody has the grace of attaining this age. I am grateful to Him the Most High Who grants me the opportunity to celebrate with my friends and family in flesh and blood. That, it is not at the instance of some “next of kin” to invite you to come and wine and dine over the exit of an “icon”.”
In his remark, the occasion’s Chairman and an ex-deputy Governor of Ondo State and former ambassador to Uganda, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru spoke glowingly of Peretei, who he said he had known since 1998 when he was the State PDP Financial Secretary.
In his speech, the occasion’s chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Dr. Bode Ayorinde who was represented by the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oyesoji Aremu welcomed Peretei to the diamond club saying that writing a book is hard work.
He noted that publishing a book in Nigeria today is not easy; getting people to buy is difficult; and people do not read.
While congratulating the birthday boy, he noted that it was too early to write his autobiography as he was not in a hurry to exit the scene.
Also speaking, the Larogbo and Paramount ruler of Akotogbo Kingdom, Oba Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji said: “I am part of this story’ noting that he and Peretei and L attended Arogbo National School between 1977 and 1982.
He recalled “We were the youngest in the school. they used to call us juvenile students. I’m very happy to be here, writing our story.
He said that rade by barter at the Akotogbo ancient market still exists. “We don’t feel hungry but have no cash. We can grow our economy home front.”
In attendance were the Are Mayegun and Yeye Are Mayegun of Apoiland, Chief Bayode Ojo and Chief Mrs Bunmi Bayode-Ojo; PDP State Chairman, Hon Bakkita Bello; ex-PDP chairman Clement Faboyede; ex-commissioners Mr. Remi Olatubora SAN, and Prince John Ola Mafo; ex-Presidential aide on Amnesty Programme, Dr Kingsley Kuku; Mr Wilson Ajuwa; and PDP State Women Leader, Hon Kemisola Adesanya
There were Pere (Barr) Z.D Egbunu, JP, Opukutu lll, the Agbadagba and Paramount Ruler of Arogbo-Ibe as the total father of the day; Oba (Barr) Micheal Elumaro Akinfolarin, Keneyin lll; Larogbo and Paramount ruler of Akotogbo Kingdom, Oba Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji; and Akokoniko Larada l, Olugbokoda as royal guests.
Associate Professor Felix Talabi reviewed the book; the Chief Launcher was Wilson Ajuwa, Esq; the Chief Host of the dual celebration was Dr Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku.
