A profound concern regarding a perceived “leadership vacuum” in the Niger Delta region took center stage at the Special Isaac Boro Memorial Symposium held on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Organized by the NDPiD Symposium Board, the event aimed to reflect on the legacy of the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, a pivotal figure in the fight for the rights of the Ijaw people and other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, while also addressing contemporary leadership challenges.
The symposium’s communique, signed by Annah Buseri (NDPiD President) and Martins Biu (NDPiD Secretary), highlighted Boro’s innate leadership abilities, fueled by the injustice and marginalization faced by Niger Delta communities. It drew parallels to other inspirational leaders who preceded Boro, such as Ernest Sissei Ikoli, Michael A. Imoudu, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Chief Anthony Enahoro, and Prof. Ita Eyo, all described as “Servant Leaders” known for their clear vision, selflessness, and pan-ethnic ideology.
The symposium delved into the meaning of a “leadership vacuum” in a region where political leaders, local government chairpersons, and various professional figures exist. The central question posed was: “Do we have credible leaders who can prioritize the collective interest of all Niger Delta people, like our past heroes and heroines?” The resounding answer from the symposium was that such individuals are “extremely hard to come by” presently, with many aligning with political interests rather than genuinely addressing the concerns of the people.
Presentations by Mr. Kabowei Akamande and Major General Pat Akem-Vingir (rtd) PhD further explored this issue. Mr. Akamande traced the history of the Ijaw Nation’s struggle, pointing to “mistakes, and various betrayals due to the wrong type of leadership.” Major General Akem-Vingir expanded on the qualifications and requirements for Niger Delta leadership in a time of such a vacuum.
The symposium outlined key points for the way forward, emphasizing that leaders are both born and nurtured. Participants agreed that future leaders must be “deliberately educated and developed through well-defined processes.” A critical point raised was the need for a leader accepted by all ethnic nationalities and interest groups to speak for the collective interest of the Niger Delta. The question of whether a leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) could fulfill this role, or if a new platform is needed, was also deliberated.
A core recommendation was for good and effective Niger Delta leaders to transcend “narrow clannish and ethnocentric interests” and embrace a “Pan-Niger Delta or Pan-African model of identity.” This approach, it was stressed, must grow from the grassroots up, ensuring that the developmental needs of local communities and ethnic nationalities are not sacrificed for broader unity.
The communique outlined essential qualities for future leaders: Education: Both traditional and contemporary knowledge; Vision, Integrity, Ethical Principles, and Values; Empathy: The ability to sympathize with ordinary people across the Niger Delta; Accountability: To the people, not just personal interests; Understanding of Ethnic Diversity: Leading without ethnocentric biases; Conflict Resolution SkillsAuthority on Environmental Issues. Ability to Engage Grassroots and Mobilize Society. Courage: To speak truth to power and challenge wrong government policies. Decisiveness and Clarity of Purpose. Team Building: Creating a collaborative leadership class from diverse ethnic nationalities.
The symposium also advocated for a shift from “reactionary politics to being strategic and proactive,” demanding well-educated leaders with knowledgeable advisors capable of navigating complex governance crises and a changing global order.
A significant proposed solution was addressing the lack of leadership training institutions. The communique suggested utilizing existing educational institutions to establish specialized leadership training schools or creating dedicated institutions to “create, nurture, and turn out potential leaders” for the region. These courses, it emphasized, must be accredited to serve the specific interests of the Niger Delta people.
The NDPiD Symposium Board, in its communique, declared that “The people of the Niger Delta do not have time to waste. The time for the new leadership is now and the first step is by creating the necessary leadership institutions that will make this happen.” The Niger Delta Peace Initiative & Development (NDPiD) aims to be one such leadership training institution.
