It was a gathering of who-is- who in the Niger Delta and Ondo State at Arogbo, the traditional headquarters of the ljaws of Ondo State as Hon. Kingsley Kuku a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and currently a member of the Federal Government Amnesty Committee marked his 40th birthday. On Sunday, 14th February, 2010.
The first Baptist Church, Arogbo was filled to capacity where the thanksgiving service was held on the same day. In his sermon, the Pastor of the Church, Revd Akande in his sarmon titled "You lack one thing" admonished youths to remember their Lord in their youthful days. He added that if one had everything and lacked Jesus Christ, such had missed everything.
The man of God also admonished the people in attendance to remember their creator who kept
them till the day and that after this world there was going to be a lot of celebrations and joy in the other world. "We should not miss the kingdom of God," the man of God stated.
It was a gathering of sort at the venue of the reception as disgnitaries present delivered their goodwill message for the celebrant, Hon. Kingsley Kuku. In his goodwill message, Hon. D.I.Kekemeke, a former Secretary to the Ondo State Government described Kingsley Kuku as a respectful upungman, a focused person who was able to bring people of different divides together. Hon. Kekemeke also said that Kingsley Kuku was one of those who put Arogbo in the map of ljaw nation through his
identifying with the Niger Delta struggle. "We have a good son in the person of Hon.Kuku. God will protect and give him long life" he said.
In his own speech, the Chairman of the lnterim Management Committee of the Ese-Odo Local Government, Hon. Kennedy lkantu Peretei, described Hon. Kuku as a bridge-builder, a good family man, a good husband, a good son of the soil. He also described Kuku as a peace maker. According to Chief Eddy Olafeso, a former commissioner for information and mobilization in Ondo State, "Kuku is one young man who knows his onions from the beginning. Kuku is one man who has fought many battles but still very young". He further stated that Arogbo was blessed with the likes of Hon. Kuku and D.I Kekemeke who shared it's pains and
aspirations.
Comrade T.K. Ogoriba stated that the first time he met Kingsley Kuku, he called him Valentine Kuku, and that was because he was born on Valentine's Day. He further stated the day anyone was born was very important because it went a long way to tell on the destiny of the person. Ogoriba further stated that if only Kuku was a go-go man nobody would have gathered here today. He added during the kaiama Declaration of December 1998, Kuku had remained focused on the ljaw
struggle, and he had done so much for the ljaw nation.
According to him, Kuku is a worthy son of ljaw land for a purpose which he has proved. When Prince Debo Ojubuyi, a popular llaje musician of international standard was called to entertain the guests, he quoted the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo saying "greatness is not achieved in never falling, but by rising each time you fal". He further stated that, "the great man is not the who comes home to distribute bread, but is the one who comes home to distribute hope". After rendering the
quotations, the ace musician began to thrill the guests with his wonderful gospel juju- like music.
High Chief Reuben Bekewa who said he was the father of all politicians not minding the political party they belonged described Kuku as worthy son of Arogbo-ljaw in particular and ljaw nation in general. He described Kuku as a peace maker and an ambassador of peace.
