By Aaron Ossai
The member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor, has challenged newly qualified Ogoni lawyers to become agents of development in Ogoni land, urging them to deploy their legal expertise to transform their communities while leading the fight against cultism and other social vices.
Dekor made the call on Wednesday in Abuja when he received members of the 2025 Ogoni Bar Aspirants during a courtesy visit to his office.
Congratulating the aspiring legal practitioners on their success, the federal lawmaker described their achievement as proof of the resilience, determination and intellectual capacity of the Ogoni people.
“I am a very proud Ogoni man. Nobody can marginalise the Ogoni people anymore because we have some of the best brains in this country,” he said.
Dekor noted that although the Ogoni people had endured decades of neglect despite their significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil economy, the region was beginning to attract renewed government attention and developmental initiatives.
He urged the young lawyers to return home after their qualification and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Ogoni through legal advocacy, mentorship, community service and public leadership.
The lawmaker also raised concerns over the rising cases of cultism and drug abuse among young people, describing the twin challenges as serious threats to the future of Ogoni land.
He called on the new lawyers to champion campaigns against the social vices and ensure that individuals involved in cult-related activities were denied opportunities to occupy public office.
Speaking on the country’s economic situation, Dekor acknowledged the hardship facing many Nigerians but appealed for patience, expressing confidence that the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reforms would ultimately deliver long-term prosperity.
He also advised young Nigerians against pursuing opportunities abroad at all costs, stressing that Nigeria remained their home and that they had a responsibility to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the 2025 Ogoni Bar Aspirants, Dr. Gawuga Thompson Baala, commended Dekor for his commitment to the advancement of Ogoni land and his sustained support for the development of its people.
said the delegation visited to appreciate the lawmaker’s contributions to youth empowerment and to seek stronger collaboration in promoting education, employment and infrastructure development across Ogoni communities.
He further appealed for sustained government investment in critical infrastructure, job creation and programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of the Ogoni people.
