The Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF) says the next phase of its activities would focus on advocacy for a knowledge-driven development with stakeholders playing strategic roles.

President of the BGF, Jude Pepple said this on Sunday, July 30, 2023 shortly after he and his executive were inaugurated in Bonny, Rivers State.

Members of the new BGF executive include Christian Tobin; Vice President, Anne Rowland-Hart; Assistant Secretary, Dienye Jumbo; Publicity Secretary, Thayibat Pepple; Financial Secretary, Perpetual Green; Treasurer, and Diepirinye Ezekiel-Hart; Director of Socials.

He pledged to hold dear the position of trust and responsibility bestowed on him by virtue of his new office as the winner of the recent BGF elections, stating that to achieve the various goals of his administration, he will collaborate with key stakeholders and work with his executive to make his term in office a remarkable one.

“Our engagement with critical stakeholders within and outside the kingdom, will be robust. We will be engaging the Traditional Institution, the Local Government Council, the Legislative Assembly, and institutions setup by His Majesty, our dear father, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Edward l, Perekule XI, Natural Ruler and Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, to create synergy for the overall interest of our forum, the Kingdom, and a sustainable, progressive Bonny Local Government Area.”

“Today marks a significant milestone in our forum. You have placed on me the mantle of leadership as your President, after my boss, friend, and a brother, Eng. Awoiyeala Samuel Allison, have set us, on a good part.”

“I am greatly honoured; therefore, with great humility, I accept this responsibility to serve you, as your president for the next two years, God helping me, as provided in our constitution. I promise to hold dear this great position of trust, responsibility given to me, unopposed.”

“We will work closely with some of our internal stakeholders, like Mrs. Clara Amonia, in trainings and knowledge transfer to ensure that our members remain relevant, in leadership, technical and managerial skills.”

“We must ensure, the value of having our members as entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs or job seekers are never in doubt. We must position ourselves, within and outside the kingdom, to attract job opportunities for our members.”

He enjoined members of the Forum to avail themselves whenever the need arises to contribute to societal development by volunteering advisory roles in critical situations, stressing that the BGF under his watch would partner with relevant organizations and institutions to entrench progress and development.

“As a body made of think-tanks, we should be ready to proffer solutions to societal challenges within our environment, share our thoughts on people-oriented governance and development in our Kingdom.”

“The Bonny Graduates Forum should be ready to partner with constituted stakeholders to address these concerns. We should be ready to champion corporate accountability movement capable of driving meaningful change.”

The outgoing President, Awoiyeala Allison had, upon inauguration of the Jude Pepple led executive, presented his account of stewardship and handover note to the new President, expressing his gratitude to leaders and members of the Forum for the support accorded him during his tenure.

Chairman of the BGF Board of Trustees, Peter Abbey, who represented by Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Emmanuel Kalada-Jamaica, congratulated the new executive on their inauguration, charging to consolidate on the achievements of the exiting administration, adverting their minds to the need to upscale the BGF to viable Forum that can contribute to societal development.

Highlight of the event was the issuing of certificates of return to members of the new executive by Emmanuel Kalada-Jamaica. Earlier, the new executive and members of the Bonny Graduates Forum had attended a Special Thanksgiving Service at the Christ Army Church, Bonny.