Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a lawyer and a businessman. He wants to govern Rivers State in 2015 – and below are his reasons…
Why did you decide to contest the 2015 guber elections in Rivers State?
The 2015 gubernatorial elections in Rivers State, I believe, should be about who will take the state to a greater height and not about which of the ethnic nationalities in the state will produce the next governor. I have looked around deeply and consulted widely and I believe I am the man that can move and liberate Rivers State from the shackles of poverty and joblessness and hopelessness that presently pervade the land. Rivers State is very rich, yet our people are poor and jobless and restive. That means something is wrong. The abundant resources need to be harnessed, hence I have said Rivers people need liberation in 2015. My candidacy is creating excitement amongst the political class and has received endorsement from various political associations and groups across the state, but I know it’s going to be a long drawn and tough battle. The terrain has changed from when I first contested in 2003. Now the consultation is so much. Our democracy is much more robust. There is no more imposition of candidates. Now everybody is enjoined to work, to go to the grassroots and show yourself as acceptable by your people. The groupings have also changed. You have to consult massively and it’s a never ending affair. But I like it; it puts me and my team on our toes to react to the dynamics of the system and forge ahead.
There has been a clamour for zoning of the governorship to a particular tribe. What is your opinion?
I don’t believe in tribal politics. The party should decide who the better candidate is. The people will assess everybody based on merit and hand the ticket to that person. 2015 is too important for us as a state to start playing tribal politics because if we lose it this time around, it will be disastrous for our people.
What’s your political antecedent?
My foray into politics commenced in 1992 when I joined the Social Democratic Party , SDP. That same year I was a candidate for the House Of Representatives in Akuku Toru Federal Constituency, in Rivers State. Between 1986 and 1998, I was National Assistant Legal Adviser to the Grass Roots Democratic Party and in 2003, I contested for the governorship of Rivers State against Dr. Peter Odili.
What in your opinion is the responsibility of government to the people?
In my view, the responsibility of political leadership and government is to create opportunities for everybody. Like you know, if you don’t provide the opportunities, then it becomes difficult for you to insist that they must lead very responsible lives. Rivers State needs liberation and I believe I am the man that can make it happen with the support of the people.
You are reputed to have transformed the National Maritime Academy, Oron, during your tenure as chairman. Tell us about the experience.
We knew when we came on board that we had a serious job to do. We knew we had to make a mark before we will leave this academy. What we have looked at is to see how we can move the academy from where it is today to a world-class academy. First of all, we thought we could have the academy as the best maritime academy in Africa within the first two years and then make it one of the leading academies internationally within the next five years. Accordingly, we asked the Rector to work on a programme of activities for the academy between now and the next five years; structured in two phases. Our vision was to ensure that the students that we had there are one of the best you can find anywhere in the world, well equipped and well trained and that can be gainfully employed by international maritime companies. That’s the minimum of what we planned to achieve and we did.
You are just rounding off another shot at public service as chairman of the board of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, how would you rate your performance?
It was another opportunity to add my quota to national development, but this time in the health section. The experience was wonderful, very challenging. It was an eye opener. I had a great team. We had very experienced technocrats and professionals on the board, people like M. Ibrahim Shettima, Usman Ibba, Engr. Don Chibundu Njoku, and Senator (Engr.) Onyema Amadi Okoroafor. With all modesty, we left the place better than we met it and I believe posterity will judge us positively someday.
Tell us about your background.
I am fifty years old. I am a lawyer. I obtained my Law degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1985, which is a great institute of learning and a citadel of excellence. In 1987, I crowned it with a Master’s degree from the University of London. I have also fortified myself with executive courses at Harvard University and Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA.
You are a carbon copy of your dad, what has been his influence over your life?
My dad has always been an inspiration. My foray into the maritime industry and oil and gas was because he was also in that business. He has a larger than life image. Considering the circumstances of his birth, he has achieved outstanding success in business and politics and he has a large heart when it comes to helping society. He is truly one of the great men of his generation. But make no mistakes, Dumo has learnt well. Under his dad’s tutelage, he has carved a niche for himself as a prolific corporate player, technocrat and grassroots mobilizer. Growing up, my father was very strict. I am a lawyer today, even though I didn’t originally want to become a lawyer. But of course, at that time when we were growing up, we couldn’t break (away) from our parents. What you wanted as opposed to what your parents wanted would always be secondary. So, my father insisted that I must read Law. And that training has also helped me to take on other challenges outside of the legal profession. And whatever field I find myself in, I see my law background has been very helpful.
What of your private business. What are you involved in?
In November 2013, I and some associates formed Platform Petroleum Ltd, of which I am chairman and since then there has been no looking back. Apart from sitting on the board of several blue chip companies all over the country, I am also chairman of several successful indigenous companies which employ hundreds of Nigerians in their various spheres. They include DLB Marine Ltd, De- Plaza Privilege, DLB Energy Services Ltd and Bluewaves Marine and Construction Company Ltd, amongst others. As an entrepreneur and visionary, my role is to identify the potentials of the venture, set up the structures and bring in competent hands to run the business, so they can actualize themselves. By so doing, I believe I am a focused and astute investor, manager of resources and motivator of men. I see myself as a man of great promise in my generation and I am dedicating myself to help galvanize the changes that will make Rivers State a better place for all.
You are married to a very beautiful woman, Dawn, tell us more about her.
I am happily married to the lady of my dreams, Dawn. She is the bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh, and we are blessed with children. We have been married for over fifteen years. She is God sent; a very special woman blessed with grace, intellect, understanding and wisdom. She is a worthy partner who stands by me in all I do. She is an epitome of womanhood and motherhood.