Lulu-Briggs: Rivers & People
By onyemaechi Alfred

For the people of Rivers State and those who have been opportune to interact with him, nothing could best describe him than an extra-ordinary philanthropist and perfect gentleman, a personification of undiluted humanness and complete example of leadership symbolism.
Chief Barrister Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a cynosure of all eyes, his love for supporting the ‘seemingly neglected’ people in the society speaks volume.

DLB as he is popularly known in the political circle made a bold appearance into the Rivers State political scene far back in 1992 and by the year 2003, he had the ticket to contest the governorship election on the platform of the National Democratic Party (NDP) when he contested with the former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili.

Though he lost the election then, the Kalabari-born business mogul and grassroots mobiliser had been touring places doing good to people who came in contact with him. Dumo is loved by his people and generally admired by all, his mien speaks volume. DLB has touched so many lives to the admiration of many. He has also rescued many from the shackles of poverty and given them a new lease of life.
Dumo abhors corruption; he is selfless, respectful and God-fearing man whose love for service to the people is sacrosanct. His political support base cuts across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
A survey conducted recently in Port Harcourt indicates that Dumo is far ahead of other philanthropists in terms of enhancing the well-being of his people. Dumo has never been indicted with any form of corruption or linked to any form of dubious tendencies; be it cultism-related or politically-motivated.

Dumo is a man who always has the penchant for championing the course of Rivers State students and so many other groups. In 2003, even before he made a landmark appearance in the Rivers State governorship race, DLB sponsored thousands of Rivers students in tertiary institutions till they successfully completed their education. He is committed to enhancing the welfare of the poor.
While other politicians who seem to be gunning for the Brick House in 2019 are busy gathering people for a bottle of Schnapps and Whisky, Dumo is channelling his hard-earned resources to building human capacity. His group, Dumo Support Group, is found in every nook and cranny of Rivers State providing support for the downtrodden and other physically challenged people.

Most people in the state believe that a man who is tirelessly giving hope to the hopeless deserves a place in the political arena. They maintain that if DLB is given the opportunity to serve his people, he would deploy his wealth of experience to serve the people and they will be happy.
For him, he is alive in order to serve humanity. His mien tells it all and his humanitarian services are being acknowledged by all.
Victor Nlerem, a political strategist described DLB as God-fearing and fit for the position of governor of Rivers State.
Nlerem said: “Since 1999 when I came in contact with him, Dumo had been in the business of giving out scholarships from secondary to tertiary students in the 23 local government areas of the state.
“He is a man with passion for excellence in everything he does. I’m sure he will be ready to bring that to bear if given opportunity to serve his people. I think he deserves an opportunity to serve and I have no doubt he would perform and restore the glory of the Garden City.”

Majority of the people believe that with Dumo’s wealth of experience and successes recorded in the field of business, the rate of unemployment will reduce, even as security challenges prevalent in the oil-rich state will be nipped in the bud.
Dumo had maintained: “The true worth of a man is not in the millions of naira in his coffers or wealth accumulated; it is in the way he treats people who are absolutely in need. If you care about people in need, you are actually making a contribution to the development of a nation. We need to give back to the people. Democracy is important in governance.
“We need to see how we can use the available resources to care for people, create employment for all, especially for those who are truly in need. The gap between the poor and the rich should be bridged. Those of us blessed with material resources need to share with others, we must strike a balance with our resources.”

According to credible sources in Rivers State, Dumo’s defection to the Accord Party (AP) signifies good omen to the people of Rivers State. Already, majority of the people in Rivers State are of the opinion that this is the time the people require most the services of DLB. They believe Dumo’s presence in the party will, no doubt, elicit victory for them come 2019 considering his charisma and versatility in human capacity building.

According to Chinwe Ohaka, a member of the Accord Party in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a force to reckon with. Ohaka said a vote for Dumo in 2019 is a vote in the right direction.
Hear him: “As a business man, who has successfully managed his business empire very well, DLB can manage the resources of Rivers State very well. During my unionism days, we paid him a visit and he empowered us very well. He showed us love; he gave us support and provided us with a 14-seater bus, even when the then governor could not provide us with a bus.

“Dumo gave us sets of computers to equip our students’ business centre. For me, DLB is the most qualified person to occupy the Rivers State Government House because he understands the problem of the people and he can confront challenges, particularly the menace of insecurity.
“Dumo can reach out to ‘those boys’ and speak their language. Dumo is truthful and generous to a fault. This is the right time we will in One Accord give him our support because we know that he would salvage us and lead us to the Promised Land “,

Alfred wrote from Port Harcourt

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