History was made on 28th April, 2023 in Omoku, Rivers State, when the apex paramilitary organization in the Niger Delta, the ONELGA Security Peace and Advisory Committee, OSPAC Nigeria, witnessed a transfer of baton in its leadership for the first time.
The event which took place at the organization’s headquarters saw Comrade Kingsley Ogwumike Manor handing over to his erstwhile deputy, Comrade Felix Nwaobakata, among others.
In his handover speech, Ogwumike said his decision to handover peacefully is to shame the detractors of OSPAC both within and without the organization and to ensure peace and love continues among them and the society generally. He urged all and sundry to put their hands on deck and support the new leadership to prevent cracks that could be capitalized on by criminals and asked for a joint response from stakeholders to ensure the members got better remuneration.
He also called on the zones not to operate independently of headquarters and prayed God to continue to help the group as He has been doing since 2014 the group was founded. He concluded by warning his successor not to appoint wrong advisers and avoid gossips else he would fail.
In his own address, one of the leaders of the group, Hon. Adiela Orasman, praised Ogwumike for the peaceful handover. Tracing the genesis of the group from when it was known as the Omoku Youth Association, he posited the group has come a long way and cannot afford to fail. He advised Nwaobakata not to take unilateral decisions but carry all along and warned him to remember the fact that he can be removed from office by the government or OSPAC if he fails in his duties.
He promised the group will support the new leadership especially as an oath was in place to ensure that and asked Nwaobakata to reach out to him or Ogwumike if he encounters any challenge bigger than him. He concluded by advising the group to take the issue of emerging kidnapping seriously so it can be nipped in the bud.
Comrade Christian Mazi Canada spoke in a similar vein praising Ogwumike and promised to ensure the group gets all it needed to succeed. He also urged all to support the new administration.
The RP 1 of the organization, Comrade Emeka Onyiocha, said government is a continuum hence the decision of Ogwumike to handover peacefully so Nwaobakata can bring his wealth of experience to bear on the group. He eulogized Ogwumike for not putting up a do-or-die attitude to holding onto power and posited if leaders worldwide can emulate him, the world would be a better place. He advised the members of the group to focus on their calling which is the protection of lives and property and urged Nwaobakata to aim at surpassing the high standards Ogwumike has set to ensure the group penetrates to the Federal level.
He ascribed Ogwumike’s success to his straightforward and truthful nature which ensured he gave all their due at all times and urged all to emulate him and continue to be united.
The new General Commander, Comrade Felix Nwaobakata, said: ” Manor handed over to me and he is the founder. He is my boss. I respect him so much. He is a good man. He has proved his love for me today and shows he is a man. He handed over peacefully and without rancour; the first time in the history of OSPAC.”
He promised to do his best to surpass his many achievements as a son should surpass his father’s achievements and go on to make Manor proud.
“I will not put him to shame and ensure his name reigns forever,” he stated and described those disarming soldiers in Emohua LGA as not members of OSPAC. He warned criminals especially the ‘Yahoo boys’ in the area to be warned as he is coming after them.
He also promised to look into the issue of the welfare of the members and lamented the lack of interest by the multinational companies operating in the area to contribute anything but were doling out millions to Don Wanni during his infamous reign “even though we have ensured there is peace in ONELGA now.”
He called on the traditional rulers and the council to help in this regard also and not take the group for granted. The event continued the following day with several branches coming to pledge their allegiance to the new leadership. One such branch was the Ndoni branch.
Other new executive members of the group include: Chief Sunday Oburu, Chukwudi Adiela, Chief Essor Friday, Goodluck Okoro JP, Eze Usomini, Joseph Edor, Ifeanyi Akoji, Chijoke Olowu, Nnamdi C. John, Ekesiba Franklin Omoku, Eze Ohia( Secretary), Egbo Godwin, and Mayor Paul( Egi Zone Commander). Comrade Ogwumike remains a patron of the group.
