The Donald Duke Legacy

by Yemi Ogunbiyi

While working as an editor of a book on the Donald Duke years as Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, who was co-editor, and I, agonised about the choice of a proper title for the book. After a series of deliberations, we settled for: Doing the Right Thing: The Donald Duke Years. The first four words of the title were not original. They had come from the text of a Donald Duke interview with journalists in which he had said that the best guarantee for success in public service was to do the right thing always.

In retrospect now, as one attempts a brief review of Duke's legacy, the choice of that title seems most apt because it captures, it seems, not only the essence of his monumental achievements as two-term Governor of Cross River State, but also the general public's perception of that success. Yet, unless some facts about Duke's achievements are properly situated within the larger context of what can truly be referred to as Duke's 'eight-year wonder' at Cross River State, he might be remembered more for his achievements in Eco-tourism and other related areas than for the unprecedented solid foundation for enduring development, growth and prosperity that he laid for the state.

The very first thing he did upon being sworn in as Governor in 1999 was to deploy an Economic Blueprint, which outlined his Development agenda and vision for the state. Not surprisingly, the document bore all the signs of years of gestation. This Blueprint was anchored upon a deceptively simple set of prerequisites for development ----- the provision of sound minds and healthy bodies for the populace. In other words, if government provides education, training and infrastructure for the people and keeps them healthy, they will become economically productive.

A second major plank of this Blueprint was the enactment of a unique public-private partnership model for growing major sectors of the economy, especially the sectors where the state had comparative advantage, such as agriculture and tourism. To further drive this Blueprint, the government took two key decisions. One, it adopted an unprecedented performance tracking mechanism that was to benchmark the state's performance in the key socio-economic development areas. Secondly, it decided to set aside N50 million as strategic reserve out of its meagre monthly allocation from the Federation Account for use in emergency situations. Taken together, these broad objectives led, as will be shown presently, to one of the most ambitious investment drives of any state in the history of the country.

For instance, in agriculture, which was to become a major anchor of Duke's development agenda, in the first four years of the administration, Cross River State leapfrogged from subsistence agriculture to large scale commercial farming such that the state became a major producer of pineapple, cashew, cocoa and, of course, oil palm. Working closely with Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, our own NIFOR in Benin and other private investors, the oil palm business blossomed into a major industry. Similarly, the pineapple project became a huge success, leading to the establishment of a pineapple processing plant at the Calabar Export Free zone.

The plant has since been privatised and taken over by Dansa Food Processing Industry. Also, in the first four years of the life of the Duke administration, Cross River went from being the sixth largest producer of cocoa, nation-wide to the second. As I write, Cross River State produces about 20 per cent of the total national tonnage of cassava. These figures did not exist before 1999.

But, perhaps, the most unique feature of Duke's agricultural policy was the judicious combination of micro and macro schemes to create poverty alleviation strategies which were to have immediate impact on the fortunes of the poor. To take one of several examples, in 2005, for instance, the state, under a turnkey agreement with private investors, took delivery of Bee-keeping equipment and honey processing machines that would produce some 50,000kg of honey annually on the Obudu Ranch. Under the agreement, 25 trainers and 400 farmers were to be trained in modern bee-keeping techniques, with Beehives imported from South Africa. When fully operational, the factory will create a diversification of skill, as it can also process other by-products such as wax into candles. This model was successfully extended to fish-farming and live-stock delivery.

This same drive permeated other aspects of Duke's ambitious plan in education, infrastructure, urban regeneration, and health. Unfortunately, the constraints of space would not permit a detailed look at these areas. But sketches will survive to provide insights into an enviable legacy of commitment and service. For instance, in early 2000, Duke convened a state-wide Education Summit. Among other recommendations, the Summit called for a surgical and multifaceted approach to the crisis of education in the state and the amalgamation of all the tertiary institutions in the state into one Centre of Excellence.

The implementation of the latter decision led to the creation of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH). To ensure that CRUTECH meets the objective of harmonising local standards with global academic benchmarks, its intakes from secondary and primary schools had to be properly equipped. Accordingly, under a diligently pursued, state-wide universal free primary education scheme, the state wrote, printed and distributed text books to primary and secondary schools, virtually free of charge, perhaps, the only state on record to do so in the federation. And to complete the final education jigsaw, the state embarked on a massive incentive programme for school teachers by introducing handsome tax exemption packages, 'difficult station allowances,' mobility allowances and prompt promotion for teachers.

While the full impact of these innovations are yet to be felt, it is sufficient merely to state that already some dramatic results are beginning to be seen. Not only have JAMB results improved dramatically throughout the state, two Cross-Riverians, both graduates from the last CRUTECH batch, have recently secured admission to two Ivy League universities in the United States for post-graduate work.

Achievements in the health sector were no less spectacular. In 1999, Cross River State had one of the highest HIV/AIDS sero-prevalence rates in the country. Acutely convinced that health was a cardinal part of his economic agenda, Duke took full control of the sector as if his success as Governor was dependent solely on it. Under his every watch, a massive re-orientation programme and grass-root health delivery was embarked upon to confront Tuberculosis, Malaria, Onchocerciasis and HIV/AIDS. By 2005, Cross River State's sero-prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS dropped from 14% to 6%, the highest such drop anywhere in the world, causing the World Health Organisation (WHO) to cite the state as worthy of emulation by others.

Also, in 1999, only about 15 rural communities, covering no more than 10% of the state had electricity.
Eight years on, some 80% coverage had been achieved, covering some 200 communities, again making this achievement one of the most outstanding in the federation. In similar vein, under a massive urban regeneration programme, which included the designation of five cities, Calabar, Ugep, Ikom, Obudu and Ogoja, as centres for capacity enhancement and excellence, a state-wide environmental programme was rolled out. Today not only is Cross River State the cleanest state in the country, the network of roads and the level of modernity to be encountered, sets it apart from many.

However, for many, Duke's greatest legacy would be, and with justification, TINAPA and the renovation of the Obudu Ranch Resort. Because a lot has been written about them, I will dwell solely on the uniqueness of these projects. It ought to be restated that these projects were a part of a well-rounded and well-orchestrated public-private partnership vision, driven by opportunities in commerce and the new global awareness for environmental conservation. The plan from the outset was for TINAPA, with its N200 billion annual economy, to become the destination of choice for the commercial traveller, while Obudu Ranch Resort, from its pristine state, would become the haven for the tourist seeking peace, beauty and tranquility. Put differently, by investing in an area of comparative advantage and strength, Duke, sought, through these projects, to enact a model of economic management that is unprecedented in its transformative effect on the fortunes of the people of Cross River State.

When the projects were first unveiled, the former President, Chief Obasanjo, was ecstatic. He had this to say: 'This young man is full of fantastic ideas and vision, capable of turning the economy around. He is an invaluable asset to the Fourth Republic'. Then, two years after, at the commissioning of the revamped Obudu Ranch Resort, complete with the new cable cars, Obasanjo wrote: 'Donald, I wish to commend you again as I did on TINAPA. Truly, where there's a will, there will be achievement, I challenge other state Governors to either replicate something like this or unique to the economy of their states. This challenge which is in line with the six focal economic points of the federal government should be based on the principle of comparative advantage'.

Other people may argue, again, not without justification, that Duke's greatest legacy is to be found in his style of governance, one that was down-to earth and shorn of the lofty and pretentious trappings of power and office. There was an unusual self-assurance about Duke as Governor, borne, I suspect, out of very powerful instincts, deep religiosity and spiritualism, which are not easily discernible. Instincts, without doubt, have played an important role in his career. While his instincts explain, in part, why he was never daunted by the fear of failure, his self-assurance explains why he went about his business as Governor, almost self-effacingly, without fanfare, without sirens, without a truck-load of armed personnel or a long convoy of escort vehicles.

For a young 45-year old, who came to the job at 37 in 1999 with a 'Lagos-Boy' tag, he showed a capacity for work that was almost without parallel. As his personal aides would testify, it was not unknown for Governor Duke to drive himself at past mid-night on a 90-minute inspection tour of TINAPA and then return there again at 8.00 a.m. in the morning, with a team of prospective business investors in tow! His impeccable good manners, candour and behaviours were matched only by his unalloyed commitment to the service of his people. Clearly, his period as Governor was a study in decorum and propriety. He was one Governor who strove always to do the right thing.

Yet, successful as he was as Governor, he did not always get things right! As I have written elsewhere, his muffled response to the third term debacle did not endear him to many. While it may be correct to surmise that his hedging on the matter derived, presumably, from an accurate reading of the gratuitous self-righteousness of the topmost leadership of his party, in retrospect, he had little to lose by either remaining silent on the matter or taking a clear position.

Obviously, he made enemies for himself by not chumming up with famous old leaders in his state, either of the political or intellectual sorts, hence the claim that he ran the state like a private enterprise. A variant of this criticism was that he was a tight-fisted politician who refused to adjust to the free giving style of many politicians. Duke's counter to this is that Cross River State is still a very poor state and that he had little money to spend even on salaries and projects, let alone extras to give away. The same critics who accuse him of refusing to 'spray' money are quick to accuse him of leaving behind a huge debt profile for the state, mischievously confusing the temporary borrowings for projects like TINAPA with state debts

.
Duke left no state debts for his successor. But there are debts on the TINAPA project, which, if not liquidated with the impending IPO, will be liquidated in no time. And at any rate, the enduring benefits of TINAPA, not only as a holistic vision of development but also as a globe trading hub, reminiscent of other great international free trade zones like Hong Kong and Dubai cannot be quantified, certainly, not today, and not in Naira and kobo alone.

In the end, Donald Duke's legacy might well lay not so much in the actualisation of these visionary projects, but essentially in the fact that he, like the old men of the scriptures, dreamt dreams! Donald Duke also taught us to see visions! And there could not be a greater tribute to his legacy than the warmth accorded him on his last day in office. As he was ceremoniously pulled around the Esuene Stadium on the 29th May, waving, with the people waving back in spontaneity, you knew, without prompting, that it was an appreciative populace that was saying 'good-bye and so long' to a worthy servant.

Later that evening, as Governor Imoke and his wife, Obioma, saw Donald and Onari off at the Margaret Ekpo airport and some of Duke's erstwhile commissioners and a few friends formed an unrehearsed guard-of-honour, clapping and cheering, it was an emotional Donald Duke who took leave of the crowd to board the waiting aircraft, with a depth of satisfaction knowing that he had given the job his best shot. And there can be no doubt at all that from Donald Duke, the best is yet to come.

Donald Duke certainly has the best qualities to rule Nigeria amongst our present and past politicians. He will certainly have my vote if he decides to run in 2019.

Donlad Duke legacy was building Admirality towers from looted funds in Ikoyi to rent to multinational companies during his tenure.

They have collected money from Donald Duke,they are now here to paint him as a saint. God will Judge you all. Every politician is a baddo,a blood sucking demon.

This man grounded Cross river state till date with huge debt on his failed Tinapa projects. All the LGAs signed off more than 15 years allocation on that..Banks that reneged to give loan for the project based on their analysis were blacklisted.
Serious hunger dey for CRS till date due to his bogus projects...lets leave what we read here oo and pay a visit to Calabar pls...he wan finish Nigeria with grammer?

DutchBrah:
Donlad Duke legacy was building Admirality towers from looted funds in Ikoyi to rent to multinational companies during his tenure.

Why don't you comment on the numerous confirmed achievements listed by the OP? Why are you rather spreading unsubstantiated rumours about him? Can you name one single politician in Nigeria who has performed better than him given the meagre resources he had to work with when he was governor of cross rivers?

MrPristine:


Why don't you comment on the numerous confirmed achievements listed by the OP? Why are you rather spreading unsubstantiated rumours about him? Can you name one single politician in Nigeria who has performed better than him given the meagre resources he had to work with when he was governor of cross rivers?

He has a long history of corruption like 99% of the useless thieves than run the country.

Where did Donald Duke get the money to build ADMIRALTY TOWERS (three sets of high rise luxury flats) located at No. 9A Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.? Where did he get N555 million to buy the property at No 1 Temple Road, Ikoyi Lagos? Am sure the above mentioned groups have forgotten the court cases between him and the occupier who was a Chief Judge. Check this archives from Thisday and Punch http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/15/413.html or http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/30/221.html .Based on his official salary and entitlements, a governor shouldn’t be able to afford that unless he has obviously done the obvious.

http://saharareporters.com/2008/07/11/open-letter-efcc-investigate-donald-duke
http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/threads/donald-duke-and-the-n555m-ikoyi-house.17642/

ucheo:
This man grounded Cross river state till date with huge debt on his failed Tinapa projects. All the LGAs signed off more than 15 years allocation on that..Banks that reneged to give loan for the project based on their analysis were blacklisted.
Serious hunger dey for CRS till date due to his bogus projects...lets leave what we read here oo and pay a visit to Calabar pls...he wan finish Nigeria with grammer?

Lies all lies is what you have written here. Donald Duke transformed the economy of cross rivers whilst he was governor and the state is still benefitting from his numerous achievements there. That said, the Tinapa project was a brilliant project that would have transformed calabar into the Dubai of Africa but it was deliberately killed for political reasons by accomplished idiots. It is plain foolishness to blame Duke for the failure of Tinapa.

DutchBrah:

He has a long history of corruption like 99% of the useless thieves than run the country.

Where did Donald Duke get the money to build ADMIRALTY TOWERS (three sets of high rise luxury flats) located at No. 9A Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.? Where did he get N555 million to buy the property at No 1 Temple Road, Ikoyi Lagos? Am sure the above mentioned groups have forgotten the court cases between him and the occupier who was a Chief Judge. Check this archives from Thisday and Punch http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/15/413.html or http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/30/221.html .Based on his official salary and entitlements, a governor shouldn’t be able to afford that unless he has obviously done the obvious.

http://saharareporters.com/2008/07/11/open-letter-efcc-investigate-donald-duke
http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/threads/donald-duke-and-the-n555m-ikoyi-house.17642/

And since when did Sahara Reporters become a credible source of information

MrPristine:


Lies all lies is what you have written here. Donald Duke transformed the economy of cross rivers whilst he was governor and the state is still benefitting from his numerous achievements there. That said, the Tinapa project was a brilliant project that would have transformed calabar into the Dubai of Africa but it was deliberately killed for political reasons by accomplished idiots. It is plain foolishness to blame Duke for the failure of Tinapa.

Are you from cross river ?

MrPristine:
Donald Duke certainly has the best qualities to rule Nigeria amongst our present and past politicians. He will certainly have my vote if he decides to run in 2019.

I will definitely vote this man any time any day. He has my automatic vote.

DutchBrah:

He has a long history of corruption like 99% of the useless thieves than run the country.

Where did Donald Duke get the money to build ADMIRALTY TOWERS (three sets of high rise luxury flats) located at No. 9A Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.? Where did he get N555 million to buy the property at No 1 Temple Road, Ikoyi Lagos? Am sure the above mentioned groups have forgotten the court cases between him and the occupier who was a Chief Judge. Check this archives from Thisday and Punch http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/15/413.html or http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/30/221.html .Based on his official salary and entitlements, a governor shouldn’t be able to afford that unless he has obviously done the obvious.

http://saharareporters.com/2008/07/11/open-letter-efcc-investigate-donald-duke
http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/threads/donald-duke-and-the-n555m-ikoyi-house.17642/

Can you show us one politician that isn't corrupt?

The fact is that Donald Duke did wonderful things for his state. Cross rivers is what it is today because of him.

Nobody will complain if a politician steals (heck they all steal) but still do something tangible for the people. That's what Donald Duke did.

evy1:
Are you from cross river ?

No I am not but I have visited cross rivers and I can testify to his numerous achievements there.

MrPristine:

And since when did Sahara Reporters become a credible source of information

Why did you ignore the link from Punch which showed Donald Duke was fightning a Chief Judge for a N555 Million naira property in Ikoyi.

TheKingIsHere:


Can you show us one politician that isn't corrupt?

The fact is that Donald Duke did wonderful things for his state. Cross rivers is what it is today because of him.

Nobody will complain if a politician steals (heck they all steal) but still do something tangible for the people. That's what Donald Duke did.

They are all corrupt and useless thieves.However,you have to remember Nigeria has a population of 170 million people. There is a consensus candidate the youths can rally around to win who is not part of the old order and wants to build a new party consisting of fresh minds.

That is what Emmanuel Macron who is 39 years old did in France.

We dont always have to select from a bunch of thieves to rule the country.

MrPristine:


No I am not but I have visited cross rivers and I can testify to his numerous achievements there.

Yea sure he created a legacy but the debt he plunged cross river state into with the white elephant project called Tinapa is still dragging the state backward.

TheKingIsHere:


Can you show us one politician that isn't corrupt?

The fact is that Donald Duke did wonderful things for his state. Cross rivers is what it is today because of him.

Nobody will complain if a politician steals (heck they all steal) but still do something tangible for the people. That's what Donald Duke did.

In all honesty, you don't need to steal money as a politician to make money. With the exposure and contacts you will make as a popular politician, you can make billions of naira without stealing a kobo but most Nigerians are too daft to realize this fact.

MrPristine:


In all honesty, you don't need to steal money as a politician to make money. With the exposure and contacts you will make as a popular politician, you can make billions of naira without stealing a kobo but most Nigerians are too daft to realize this fact.

DutchBrah:

Why did you ignore the link from Punch which showed Donald Duke was fightning a Chief Judge for a N555 Million naira property in Ikoyi.

I haven't read the story but what makes you think that it is not the judge that is at fault in the this case?

MrPristine:


I haven't read the story but what makes you think that it is not the judge that is at fault in the this case?

The question people like you should be asking is where he got to money to purchase the property during his tenure as Governor.

Why are the richest people in Nigeria goverment employee and elected officials. Why doesnt this apply in Canada,UK and USA where the richest people in the society as people who worked in the private sector,

Why is Ikoyi mostly populated my goverment officials whose official salary is less than N12 million annually.

DutchBrah:

They are all corrupt and useless thieves.However,you have to remember Nigeria has a population of 170 million people. There is a consensus candidate the youths can rally around to win who is not part of the old order and wants to build a new party consisting of fresh minds.

That is what Emmanuel Macron who is 39 years old did in France.

We dont always have to select from a bunch of thieves to rule the country.

And macron isn't corrupt?

One thing you should know is that politicians are all corrupt irrespective of the country or party. However, despite that corruption, it is paramount that such politicians does something benefiting for his people.

Donald Duke is an excellent and exceptional politician who transformed cross rivers to what it is today. He is the only governor who diverted from the "oyel" mentality and focused more on beautifying the state and turning it into a tourism center. Till today, the state is making huge money because of him.

America is highly corrupt but it doesn't stop them from doing the right thing by developing the land and improving the lives of the people.

Here is a list of most corrupt American politicians but is America not developed today?

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-corrupt-united-states-politicians-history-nixon-illegal-bribe-extortion-2016-4

https://theintercept.com/2015/07/30/politicians-admitting-obvious-fact-money-affects-vote/

Nobody will complain even if you steal as long as you developed your state and improved the lives of the people.

If you are waiting for a corrupt free politician, you will wait till eternity.

MrPristine:


In all honesty, you don't need to steal money as a politician to make money. With the exposure and contacts you will make as a popular politician, you can make billions of naira without stealing a kobo but most Nigerians are too daft to realize this fact.

My point is that most politicians steal, not only in Nigeria but all over the world. However, there is a difference between stealing and not doing anything at all and stealing but still transforming your state and the lives of your people.

TheKingIsHere:


And macron isn't corrupt?

One thing you should know is that politicians are all corrupt irrespective of the country or party. However, despite that corruption, it is paramount that such politicians does something benefiting for his people.

Donald Duke is an excellent and exceptional politician who transformed cross rivers to what it is today. He is the only governor who diverted from the "oyel" mentality and focused more on beautifying the state and turning it into a tourism center. Till today, the state is making huge money because of him.

America is highly corrupt but it doesn't stop them from doing the right thing by developing the land and improving the lives of the people.

Here is a list of most corrupt American politicians but is America not developed today?

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-corrupt-united-states-politicians-history-nixon-illegal-bribe-extortion-2016-4

https://theintercept.com/2015/07/30/politicians-admitting-obvious-fact-money-affects-vote/

Nobody will complain even if you steal as long as you developed your state and improved the lives of the people.

If you are waiting for a corrupt free politician, you will wait till eternity.

We agree to disagree based on reality and how Nigeria works. However,I dislike Donald Duke for being a corrupt thief and dipping his hands in the public treasury so him and family can live like kings on earth.

I do agree that out of all the looters vying to be President in 2019 he is the best candidate.

DutchBrah:

We agree to disagree based on reality and how Nigeria works. However,I dislike Donald Duke for being a corrupt thief and dipping his hands in the public treasury so him and family can live like kings on earth.

I do agree that out of all the looters vying to be President in 2019 he is the best candidate.

There is no corrupt free politician but Donald Duke as is stands is the best candidate for the remarkable achievements in his state.

Duke has been praised for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, government, environment, information and communication, investment drive, and tourism. Through his work Calabar is seen as the "cleanest city in Nigeria."He created the idea of the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race and the race grew to become one of the most lucrative mountain running competitions in the world under his stewardship

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Duke


There is no Nigerian governor past and present that can stand his feats that he has done for his state.

I will vote for Donald Duke any time any day. No other politician that can think outside the box and transform his state like he did.

In 2005, he created a special reserve fund for the state meant to ‘‘hedge against economic downturn, and the inevitable rainy day’’. This was meant to cushion the effect of unforeseeable economic challenges that may occasion uncertainty in the state's Internally generated revenue, as well as monthly allocation from the federal government

This is a man that plans ahead and doesn't wait for disaster to happen before he thinks of what to do.

DutchBrah:

They are all corrupt and useless thieves.However,you have to remember Nigeria has a population of 170 million people. There is a consensus candidate the youths can rally around to win who is not part of the old order and wants to build a new party consisting of fresh minds.

That is what Emmanuel Macron who is 39 years old did in France.

We dont always have to select from a bunch of thieves to rule the country.

And who is this consensus candidate of the youth

ProjectNaija:


And who is this consensus candidate of the youth

Jay Jay Okocha or Kano Nwankwo

emerged01:
They have collected money from Donald Duke,they are now here to paint him as a saint. God will Judge you all. Every politician is a baddo,a blood sucking demon.

Don't mind them,they have sold their birthright for a mess of porridge

DutchBrah:

Don't mind them,they have sold their birthright for a mess of porridge

I weep for your ignorance.