Opinion

Celebrating Dumo Lulu-Briggs Astuteness, Greatness and Grace at 60

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By: Oladapo Sofowora

When renowned playwright and dramatist, Professor Femi Osofisan aptly titled one of his literary masterpieces “Birthdays are not for dying’; he meant that the occasion of birthdays is a celebration simply meant for those living on Mother Earth that’s why it has remained a significant day in the life of every human to celebrates the gift of life. For Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs; the occasion of his 60th birthday today the 13th of June 2024 has availed him to reflect on redolent memories of the past and evaluate the years he spent in his bid to live for others.

 

It also availed him the opportunity to value life and enjoy it to the fullest paying attention to humanity and those around him. While he is currently witnessing the proverbial 7th Heaven typically of a woman who just gave birth to a baby, he would have loved to climb the highest mountain in a celebration mood shouting Hallelujah thanking his creator for the gift of Life, but for the celebrant; reflecting and appreciating life is something he will continue to do till the end of time; especially at a time when life expectancy in average Nigerian is below the age of 50. For him, his Birthday calls for a massive celebration that requires calling praise singers to sing his praise to the high heaven.

Gliding into age 60 is quite a big deal for Dumo; at a time when many who were born the same day and month as him have been taken by the dreaded grim reaper on a sojourn of no return. For him to still be breathing despite hot shots fired at his life against all odds is a reason for an elaborate celebration. During the last election, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs faced challenges, including a life-threatening attack, his life flashed before his eyes, as his political convoy was attacked by some urchins and political thugs as pellets of bullets riddled his cars but he remained unscratched. Despite facing adversities, he has demonstrated resilience, hard work, and determination. His success as a billionaire and an influential figure in the Nigerian business landscape is a testament to his unwavering spirit and dedication. While growing up, his peers who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths were busy spending money on frivolities; depending on their parents’ deep pocket, he learnt the beauty of hard work, resilience and doggedness which today has placed him on a high pedestal as a billionaire and an oil mogul of high note in the Nigerian business space. For the birthday boy to have remained flourishing till date in Nigeria’s business terrain; he boasts of the heart of Hercules, the fearlessness of Achilles, the grace of Terpsichore, the memory of Macaulay and the hide of a Rhinoceros. During his formative years, those who crossed his path disclosed that he was a man destined for greatness. His demeanour, aura, highly cerebral nature and ability to foresee opportunities in the very tightest situations have made him stand firm till now. He has remained timeless in his field as a successful lawyer and also as a business magnate in the Oil and gas business with his hands in other pies of business.

The paramount head, Oruwari Briggs War Canoe Houses of Abonnema in Rivers State Nigeria has continued to be a shining light in the country as he was lucky to have the blessings of his late father High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF who was National Vice Chairman, South-South of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic, and late madam Irene Danagogo, both from Abonnema, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, who ensured he was instilled with discipline which has helped guided his path to success till date. When the future was crystal clear for him he set forth the path of greatness after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University with a degree in Law and also a Master’s degree (LLM) in Law from the prestigious London School of Economics (University of London); and was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986. He did his National Youth Service at the Institute of Legal Administration, Katsina State Polytechnic, Katsina, from 1988 –1989. He was in Private Legal Practice from 1989 to 1994. Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association (IBA). He has also attended several executive leadership courses at Harvard, Cambridge and the Southern Methodist University, SMU, Dallas, Texas.

While gathering all these experiences as a young man, he never failed to imbibe the spirit of philanthropy which he got from his late father whom he shared a great bond until the moment he left this world. Chief (Barr) Dumo Lulu-Briggs has an excellent and distinguished working career in the private and public sectors in Nigeria. He was the legal adviser/company secretary and contributing editor to Associate Media Limited 1990 – 1991, Solicitor and Notional Head of Chambers, Edu & Mohammed (Solicitor) 1991 – 1992, Principal partner in Nwoka & Lulu-Briggs Law office from 1992 – 1998. He also worked as Company secretary/Legal adviser to Moni Pulo Limited (Petroleum Development), while he served as the Managing Director, Pioneer Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Moni Pulo Limited; an indigenous, independent oil and gas exploration and Production Company from 1995 to 2004 a company owned by his late father.

After gathering enough experience, Chief (Barr) Dumo Lulu-Briggs founded and sits as Chairman, of Platform Petroleum Limited, a reputable indigenous oil exploration and prospecting company and Chairman of DLB Group of Companies. Despite all these achievements at a relatively young age, he opted to serve his people as he delved into politics in 1992 when he contested for the House of Representative seat for Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Thereafter he became the National Assistant Legal Adviser for the Grassroot Democratic Party from 1996 – 1998. He was the Governorship candidate, of the National Democratic Party, for Rivers State, in 2003, and also in 2015 contested for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) nomination as Governorship candidate at the Party’s primary election. While he has decided to take a back seat in politics for now, he remains a force to reckon with in the Rivers State political terrain and also a respected grassroots mobilizer who boasts of occultism followership.

Dumo has remained a man of culture and tradition and he has never shied away from it. He wears his Africaness on his sleeves like a badge of honour more reason he has remained a man who believes in development through culture and upholding the tenets of his traditional heritage. He holds various traditional titles and also in his community he is an opinion leader.
In his quest to develop his people through education empowerment, he yearly doles out awards scholarships to indigent students from Rivers State across the 23 LGAs in the state as part of his Corporate Social Responsibility CSR. He also hands out financial assistance to the downtrodden also payment of medical bills for sick people. He is a man who gives without blinking an eye more reason why beneficiaries of his philanthropy gestures are praying fervently for him to live longer than his father. As Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs celebrates his 60th birthday, it is a time to acknowledge his accomplishments, express gratitude for his life’s journey, and honour his contributions to society. This milestone marks not only a personal achievement but also a legacy of resilience, leadership, and kindness.

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