Living Legends Series: AMBASSADOR JUDE UKORI: A CHAMPION OF PEACE, DEVELOPMENT, AND RESOURCE JUSTICE IN THE NIGER DELTA

Our next Living Legend today is :

AMBASSADOR JUDE UKORI: A CHAMPION OF PEACE, DEVELOPMENT, AND RESOURCE JUSTICE IN THE NIGER DELTA

By  Prince Agbedeyi O. D. (+2348134902214) Asaba, Delta State

In a region often caught between the promise of wealth and the burden of neglect, Ambassador Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP) stands as a formidable figure of transformation, advocacy, and leadership. Hailing from the Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Ukori’s rise to prominence has been marked not by flamboyance, but by a quiet, consistent commitment to uplifting his people and championing a new narrative for the Niger Delta.

A Visionary at the Helm of Development

Amb. Ukori first drew widespread recognition through his exemplary leadership as Executive Chairman of the Egbema-Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF)—a community-based organization established under a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with Chevron Nigeria Limited. Under his stewardship, the EGCDF evolved from a funding conduit to a vehicle for strategic development, impacting over 23 host communities in Warri North and Warri South-West LGAs.

His administration facilitated critical infrastructural projects ranging from schools and health centres to portable water schemes and youth skill acquisition programs. These interventions did not just improve living standards—they restored hope in communities long marginalized by the oil industry’s impact.

An Advocate for Peace in a Volatile Region

Ambassador Ukori’s advocacy transcends bricks and mortar. In a region often plagued by youth restiveness and militancy, he has emerged as a consistent voice for peace and dialogue. He regularly urges Ijaw youths to reject violence and embrace constructive engagement, noting that sustainable development cannot thrive in the absence of peace.

“Violence does not build communities—it destroys them,” Ukori once declared during a youth empowerment summit. “What we need is education, dialogue, and leadership driven by purpose, not politics.”

His peaceful stance and bridge-building efforts have earned him praise from both traditional rulers and international development partners.

Championing True Federalism and Resource Control

Ukori is not just a community developer; he is a strategic thinker and political realist. A firm believer in the principles of restructuring and fiscal federalism, he has often criticized the lopsided structure of Nigeria’s federal system which, in his words, “keeps the goose but denies it the golden egg.”

In multiple national forums, he has articulated the Niger Delta’s call for resource control, insisting that federating units must manage their natural endowments for equitable development. His intellectual contributions on these issues have positioned him as one of the region’s leading voices on governance reform and decentralization.

Commitment to Indigenous Journalism and Cultural Revival

Understanding the power of the media in shaping perceptions, Ambassador Ukori has also made notable contributions to indigenous journalism. In 2021, he donated office equipment and funds to the Ijaw Publishers Forum Secretariat Project, underscoring his commitment to amplifying the Ijaw voice in national discourse.

He believes that culture, language, and local storytelling are powerful tools in reclaiming the Ijaw identity and history, especially among younger generations.

Awards and Recognition

For his meritorious service, Ukori has received numerous awards, including the Niger Delta Community Service Award and other recognitions from youth bodies, traditional councils, and civil society organizations. He is also a Justice of the Peace (JP)—a title reflecting his longstanding dedication to equity and community justice.

A Legacy in Progress

Ambassador Jude Ebitimi Ukori is more than a public servant—he is a legacy in motion. From oil-rich riverine communities to national policy circles, his impact resonates deeply. As the Niger Delta continues to seek its place in a changing Nigeria, leaders like Ukori offer a compelling blueprint for progress built on peace, accountability, and local empowerment.