Yenagoa, Thursday, August 13, 2026
Niger Delta University led a powerful national conversation on leadership and accountability today at the Executive Leadership and Accountability Summit 2026, held at the Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.
The summit was held under the chairmanship of our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Allen A. Agih, PhD, who also served as Chairman of the Planning Committee.
In his address, Prof. Agih set the tone for the day. He stated that Africa’s development depends on transformational leaders who uphold ethics and institutional accountability. He reaffirmed that NDU is committed to scholarship, research, and strategic partnerships that advance accountability, good governance, and sustainable development.
The host and author of the day, Prof. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, said the burden of the summit and his 5 newly launched books is to raise a voice for this generation. His central message: “Challenges are not meant to break you, they are stepping stones.”
Prof. Paul also announced a scholarship partnership with NDU to produce fifty doctors through the program.
Delivering the review, Prof. Ibaba S. Ibaba of NDU described the five books as “five stages of one strategic conversation” on nation building: Financial Truth → Evidence → Intelligence → Justice → Character → Institutions → Strategy → Resilience.
The books launched are:
1. Beyond the Ledger
2. Forensic and Criminal Intelligence Management
3. Principles and Practice of Criminal Investigation
4. Courage, Conscious and Commitment
5. Strategic Management in Insurgency and Terrorism
Prof. Ibaba noted that Nigeria’s challenge is “not simply a shortage of resources, it is a problem of institutional effectiveness and integration.”
He challenged citizens: “When a citizen sees a public tap overflowing, he or she has a responsibility to turn it off. Do we do that?”
On leadership and institutions he added: “Institutions are made of people and until the people are strong the institutions can never be strong.”
“Where there is no morality, society perishes.”
He proposed a collective title for the works: From the Ledger to National Resilience: Truth, Evidence, Intelligence, Character and Strategy in the Making of a Secure Society.
KEYNOTE & GOVERNMENT REMARKS
Delivering the keynote for the future, Prof. David Seye Akanbi, Guest Speaker II, made the case for competitiveness. He stressed that Africa’s progress will come from deliberate investment in human capital, innovation, and strategic partnerships between universities, government, and industry.
The event also had strong government representation.
Hon. Dr. Gentle E. Emelah, Honourable Commissioner for Education, represented by Mr. Simon Peter Okene, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, served as Chief Launcher of the books and affirmed the state government’s commitment to leadership and capacity development.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter P. Akpe, represented His Excellency and delivered the government’s position. He emphasized that “Organizations and institutions rise and fall with leadership.”
He also announced that Bayelsa State has been adjudged by security experts as the most peaceful state in the country at this time, and pledged continued government support for leadership development initiatives.
With the successful hosting of this summit, NDU reaffirms its role as a platform for ideas that build accountable, ethical, and innovative leadership in Nigeria.
