A former Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Government on Security Matters, High Chief Dr Boma Spero-Jack, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Bayelsa State Elders Council (BSEC).

Spero-Jack emerged on Monday in Yenagoa through a consensus process alongside other members of the council’s new Executive Committee.

Other members of the executive are Prof. Alison Oguru, Vice Chairman; Chief Benedict Guembe, Secretary-General; Dr Ezonebi Opubo, Assistant Secretary; High Chief Major Andrew Oputa, Treasurer; Madam Ela Douglas, Financial Secretary; Sir Mathias Otuogha, Publicity Secretary; Engr. Henry Domo-Spiff, Auditor; and Hon. O.O. Osusu, Legal Adviser.

The former Deputy Governor and immediate past Chairman of the council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd.), as well as High Chief Austin Lugbenwei, Prof. Ebi Bio Owotua-Efebo and Chief Douyi Naingba, will serve as Ex-Officio members.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration in Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, charged the new leadership to remain firm, objective and politically neutral in carrying out its advisory responsibilities.

Governor Diri said the council’s wealth of experience placed it in a unique position to advise the government on critical issues affecting the state, stressing that its effectiveness would depend on its ability to provide honest and independent counsel.

“By way of reminder, you need to separate yourself from partisanship, not only in politics. But you need to be firm and objective as a council. You must hold onto these tenets to achieve true success,” the governor said.

He urged members to deploy their experience in engineering, governance, security, traditional affairs and other areas to provide useful advice to the government.

According to him, the state government holds the elders in high esteem because of their experience and knowledge of the state’s history.

The governor also expressed concern over what he described as the gradual abandonment of farming, fishing and trading by Bayelsans, particularly youths.

He warned that allowing people from outside the state to increasingly dominate these economic activities could lead to capital flight and negatively affect the state’s cultural and political space.

Diri therefore urged the Elders Council to advise the government on measures that would encourage Bayelsans to return to productive ventures and promote value reorientation among the people.

He disclosed that efforts were underway to institutionalise the Elders Council through legislation.

According to him, a proposed bill on community leadership and administration currently before the State House of Assembly could provide a framework for formally recognising the council’s role.

The governor also assured the council that issues contained in the handover report, including members’ stipends, vehicles and land allocation, would receive government attention.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, High Chief Dr Boma Spero-Jack, pledged to build on the achievements of the immediate past administration of the council.

He said the new leadership would focus on promoting government and private institutions for the benefit of Bayelsa youths.

Spero-Jack also promised that the council would provide consensus-based advice to government and work with relevant stakeholders to find solutions to the challenges confronting the state.

In his handover address, the immediate past chairman, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd.), urged the incoming executive to sustain engagement with the state government and pursue unresolved issues affecting the council.

Reflecting on his four-year tenure, John-Jonah said the council had discharged its role as a non-state organisation by advising government on contemporary issues and addressing matters concerning the welfare of its members.

He recalled that following the devastating 2022 floods, the council established a committee, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, to examine the causes of flooding and develop strategies for mitigating future occurrences.

He added that in 2023, the council established four standing committees on Agricultural Development and Allied Industries, Education, National Affairs, and Security, with reports and recommendations subsequently submitted to government.

John-Jonah called for the payment of stipends to council members, permanent office accommodation and an official vehicle to strengthen the council’s operations.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for the support extended to the council during his tenure, as well as to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and other individuals and institutions that supported its activities.

The former chairman described the leadership transition as significant, noting that it marked the conclusion of his four-year tenure at the helm of the council.

The new Executive Committee emerged through a consensus process supervised by a three-member Electoral Committee chaired by Prof. Kingsley Alagoa, with Hon. Torpedo Amananaghan as Secretary and Elder Adolphus Forcados as a member.

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