Farah Dagogo: From Creek To Hallowed Chamber

By Christiana Amakiri
When the late President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Musa Yaradua granted amnesty to freedom fighters in the Niger Delta region, he probably never realized that the singular action he took was going to transcend for greater political good not only for them, but the various states they come from.

Ex liberation crusader like Tompolo, Ateke Tom and others have gradually impacted on the political life of their various states. The afore mentioned duo have gone as far as installing people they have confidence to deliver in various positions of authourity in their states.

During the last general elections, some of these ex freedom fighters decided to pursue their desire to bring about the betterment and upliftment of their society by picking up nominations forms from their parties to contest for political positions.

One of these former freedom fighters is Hon. Farah Dagogo. This Tombia born freedom fighter who was reported to be the coordinator of the Rivers Chapter of the Movement For the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, opted to go for the House of Assembly seat for his constituency. The overwhelming way he won his election goes a long way to show the world what the perception of his people as regards his contribution to free them from the vicious hands of slavitude orchestrated by the enemies of the Niger Delta region and their coconspirators.

I recall the days of the struggle when the Movement For the Emancipation of The Niger Delta MEND held sway and still remember how Hon. Farah engaged the military with his boys in the Niger Delta creeks. I also recall that unlike the present insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country, Farah Dagogo had employed the best standard as regards rules of engagement in military war fare. This is even when he is not reputed to have had formal military training.

Hon. Farah Dagogo while fighting the cause to liberate his people has always done his best to carry them along and caring for their needs. “Oga no de take us play. Any time him de around na so him go de ask us our problems de one im fit do im no go waste time to do am at once” Mr., Tonye Frank who made this comment, described himself as a faithful of the parliamentarian when our reporter sought to know how he feels regarding the emergence of Hon. Dagogo as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

While campaigning for office, the member who represents Degema state constituency promised to make Youth empowerment as well as women empowerment his major area of legislative interest. He also promised to promote legislations that will bring about better security for his people and accountability in governance.

Talking about accountability in governance and proactive legislating, Hon. Farah Dagogo a first termer in the House has already made a strong motion which seeks the mandate of the House to ask the former Governor of the state Rotimi Amaechi to properly handover to the incumbent Barr. Nyesom Wike. While presenting the motion, Hon. Farah posited that “Part of our oversight is to prevent people and institutions from doing the wrong thing. If we fail to do this, we are setting a bad precedence in the state.

“This is why this motion is exigent, considering the fact that the past administration failed to give a handover note. “As it stands now, the current position of finances is unknown because we don’t have this information. “The state needs the handover note so we can properly plan what is good for the state. Transition is an important part of the constitution.”

As he gets fully enmeshed in the business of lawmaking, it is the general belief of many people in his constituency and the country at large not excluding his microscopic critics that he will get better each passing day this is especially when his commitment to the House is taken into consideration. As the Rivers state House of Assembly which suffered so much disunity and ugly image in the closing part of the last legislative session gathers steam, it is believed that Hon. Farah Dagogo who slept in the creeks of the Niger Delta region with all the sand flies buzzing about, will not fail in his bid to bring about a better legislature in the state.