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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has congratulated the Professor of English and Literary OStudies, one-time Chairman of The Guardian Newspapers’ Editorial Board, Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism Advocate Godini Gabriel Darah as he turned 70 years tyesterday, November 22, 2017.
 
In a message by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa extolled the astute contributions of Prof. Darah to the intellectual and socio-cultural advancement of the Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria as a pioneer scholar of Udje performance poetry of the Niger Delta, founding president of the Nigeria Oral Literature Association (NOLA), and former Chief of Staff at Delta State Government House, Asaba.
 
He noted that “Prof. Darah’s most beguiling attribute is his versatile and profound insights into a wide range of academic endeavours which was complemented by his utter commitment to the development of scholarship and culture.” 
 
He commended Prof. Darah for the many articles and several lectures he delivered on Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism, adding “Indeed the people of the Niger Delta owe him a great deal for his scholarly and journalistic contributions which gave birth to the 13 percent derivation principle.
 
Okowa declared: “The sterling and scholarly contributions of Prof. Darah to the field of Folklore and Literature and his multidisciplinary engagements in the domains of Culture, Politics, History, Law, Sociology, Philosophy, Media and Communication is legendary, commendable and worthy of emulation.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I felicitate with a Professor of English per excellence, the Ogberianrien (the giant of knowledge) of Ughievwen Kingdom, Prof. Godini Gabriel Darah on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary celebration.
 
“In a life that has seen you clock the enviable age of 70 years amidst your achievements in public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many associates, protégés and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you.
 
“As you deservedly celebrate this landmark birthday, it is my prayer that Almighty God continues to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness.”