Alabo Graham-Douglas

{{Infobox Officeholder

| honorific_prefix = High Chief

| birth_name = Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas

| image =

| caption =

| office1 =

| term_start1 = 1989

| term_end1 = 1990

| predecessor1 =

| successor1 =

| office2 = Federal Minister of Aviation

| term_start2 = 1990

| term_end2 = 1992

| predecessor2 =

| successor2 =

| office3 = Federal Minister of Labour and Productivity

| term_start3 = June 1999

| term_end3 = July 2000

| predecessor3 = Emmanuel Udogwu

| successor3 = Musa Gwadabe

| office4 = Federal Minister of Culture and Tourism

| term_start4 = July 2000

| term_end4 = 30 January 2001

| predecessor4 = Ojo Maduekwe

| successor4 = Boma Jack

| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|5|8|df=y}}

| birth_place = Abonnema in Akuku-Toru, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Rivers State, Nigeria)

| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|4|25|1939|5|8|df=y}}

| death_place = Abuja, Nigeria

| party =

| spouse = Muriel Graham-Douglas (? – 2022){{Cite web|url=https://thewillnigeria.com/news/elder-statesman-alabo-graham-douglas-is-dead/|title=Elder Statesman Alabo Graham-Douglas Is Dead|date=25 April 2022}}

| children = 15

| nationality = Nigerian

| otherparty = PDP

| occupation = Politician

| parents = Chief Graham Douglas (Father)

Madam Botoba Bekinwari Graham douglas (Mother)

}}

Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas 6th Orubibi of Abonnema, OFR, JP, DSSRS (8 May 1939 – 25 April 2022){{Cite web|url=https://sundiatapost.com/obituary-tonye-graham-douglas-four-time-minister-dies-aged-82/|title=Obituary: Tonye Graham-Douglas, four-time minister dies, aged 82|date=25 April 2022}} was a Nigerian politician who was appointed Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in 1989, then Minister of Aviation in General Ibrahim Babangida's cabinet.

In 1999, he was appointed Minister of Labour and Productivity, and in 2000, Minister of Tourism in the Olusegun Obasanjo cabinet, leaving office in January 2001. He also held the traditional title of the Orubibi VI of the Royal Douglas War Canoe House of The Kalabari Kingdom, serving as a paramount leader and custodian of the customs and heritage of the Douglas House.

Life

Graham-Douglas was born on 8 May 1939, in Abonnema in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was of Ijaw origin. His brother, Nabo Bekinbo Graham-Douglas, was the first indigenous Attorney-General of Nigeria. Another brother, Dr. Melford Graham-Douglas, was the first African surgeon under the British Technical Assistance Scheme and a fellow of several prestigious medical institutions. He was the first registrar of the Nigerian Medical Council, a founding member of the University of Lagos,and played a key role in developing healthcare infrastructure in Rivers State. Justice Donald Graham-Douglas, another brother, served as Chief Judge of Rivers State from 1979 to 1992. Tonye Graham-Douglas had over 30 siblings.{{cite web

|url=http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/generaltopics/?p=3223

|work=NBF

|date=7 May 2009

|title=Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas at 70

|author=Steve Azaiki

|accessdate=6 May 2010}} His cousin, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, was a distinguished jurist who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and later as a Judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. His grandfather, Chief Orubibi Douglas, was one of the founding fathers of Abonnema, playing a significant role in the town's early development.

He attended secondary school in Lagos and Port Harcourt. He studied at Acton Technical School, London (1963–1965) and then at the University of Lagos (1965–1969).{{cite web

|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200905041566.html

|title=Graham-Douglas is 70

|work=Daily Independent

|date=2 May 2009

|accessdate=6 May 2010}}

He earned a BSc. in botany and zoology.{{Cite news

|title=Graham-Douglas @ 70

|date=10 May 2009 |author=Edward Ukanna

|work=Nigerian Compass

}}

He started work with the Nigerian Petroleum Refinery Company, Port Harcourt (1969–1977).

He became managing director of Togiscani Nigeria, a construction company (1978–1985), and CEO of Road Haulage Company and Magroad Enterprises.

He was also chairman of the Binterteco Nigeria, Pabod Finance and Investment and Waterglass Boat Yard.

In 2000, Graham-Douglas was appointed Provincial Grand Master of the Freemason's Lodge in Calabar.{{cite web

|url=http://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278&Itemid=26

|title=How the Freemasons Rule the World

|author=Mike Akpan

|work=Newswatch

|date=17 November 2008

|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100327114415/http://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278&Itemid=26| archivedate= 27 March 2010 | url-status= live}}

On 25 April 2022, Graham-Douglas died in a private hospital in Abuja at the age of 82, from an "undisclosed ailment." He was survived by his wife, Muriel, 12 children, and "many" grandchildren.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/alabo-graham-douglas-dies-at-82/|title=Four times Nigerian minister, Alabo Graham-Douglas, is dead|date=25 April 2022|website=Vanguard News}}

Douglas House and Lineage

The Douglas House is one of the prominent royal families in the Kalabari Kingdom, with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. It was founded in 1864 by Chief Orubibi Douglas, a descendant of King Amachree I, during the Kalabari dispersal. The family played a key role in the establishment of Abonnema (Nyemoni) and has produced several notable leaders in politics, law, and traditional governance.

Origins and Founding

The Douglas House traces its ancestry to King Amachree I, through Chief Orubibi Douglas, who created the Orubibi chieftaincy stool in 1864 in Elem Kalabari. The family is historically linked to Chief Owukori Manuel, a grandson of King Amachree I, who served as guardian to both Orubibi Douglas and Omekwe Horsfall—two prominent chiefs who later established their own chieftaincy houses.

Orubibi Dynasty of Abonnema

The Orubibi stool is one of the most respected chieftaincy titles in Abonnema, with a lineage of paramount rulers. The succession of the Orubibi dynasty is as follows:

1. Orubibi I – Founded in 1864

2. Orubibi II – Oruteme

3. Orubibi III – Graham

4. Orubibi IV – Obediah

5. Orubibi V – Godwin (Onoh SAN)

6. Orubibi VI – Alabo Graham-Douglas

Early political career

Graham-Douglas became Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Culture in 1986 in the Rivers State government.

In this role, he completed the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, founded the Sports Institute of Isaka and initiated construction of the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

He also gained approval to establish the Rivers State College of Science and Technology.

He created, produced and directed the first Rivers Carnival, Carnival '88 with the theme of Unity in Cultural Diversity.{{cite web

|url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/life_style/article16/090509?pdate=090509&ptitle=70%20Cheers%20To%20TOG&cpdate=120509

|title=70 Cheers To TOG

|author=Dele Agekameh

|work=Guardian

|accessdate=7 May 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

In 1989, the military government of Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Federal Minister for Social Development, Youths and Sports. During his tenure, the separate Ministry of Women Affairs was established.

He was moved to the Ministry of Aviation where he oversaw the deregulation of the aviation industry. He was also a member of the Special Tenders Board, which developed the Nigeria capital, Abuja.

Several years later, in November 2003, a judicial commission of inquiry into management of BiafraNigeria Airways between 1983 and 1999 issued a report that indicted Graham-Douglas and others for mismanagement and decisions that led to huge losses.{{cite web

|url=http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/nov/23/

|date=23 November 2003

|title=BiafraNigeria Airways: Probe Panel Indicts Ex-Ministers, Others

|work=ThisDay

|accessdate=7 May 2010}}

In 1992, Graham-Douglas became chairman of the Southern Minorities Movement, one of the groups that eventually merged into the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was a candidate in the PDP primaries for the presidential nomination in 1998, losing to Olusegun Obasanjo, who went on to become president.

Fourth Republic

President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Graham-Douglas Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity in June 1999.{{cite web

|url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlukoArchives/message/25

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205021031/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlukoArchives/message/25

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=5 December 2012

|work=NDM DEMOCRACY WATCH 1999/03

|title=OBASANJO HIRES & FIRES

|date=1 July 1999

|accessdate=6 May 2010}}

In July 2000, Graham-Douglas was re-deployed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.{{cite web

|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200007280224.html

|title=Experts Task the Minister of Culture And Tourism to Adopt a Pragmatic Approach

|work=The News

|date=28 July 2000

|accessdate=6 May 2010}}

In November 2000, he headed a delegation that visited China, where he signed the 2000–2002 Executive Plan of Cultural and Educational Exchange between China and Nigeria.{{cite web

|url = http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_focus/2004-07/09/content_56609_5.htm

|work = China Culture

|title = Exchanges Between China and Nigeria

|date = 9 July 2004

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404032455/http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_focus/2004-07/09/content_56609_5.htm

|archive-date = 4 April 2012

|url-status = dead

}}

In December 2000, he hosted the Africa Travel Association's Fourth Ecotourism Symposium in Abuja. He described ecotourism as responsible tourism, saying "Ecotourism conserves the natural environments and sustains the well-being of local people".{{cite web

|url=http://www.africa-ata.org/ecotourism_ny.htm

|title=Three Bridges to a Secure Future: Ecotourism, Peace and Compassion

|author=Jerry W. Bird

|publisher=Africa Travel Association

|accessdate=6 May 2010}}

Graham-Douglas was dropped from Obasanjo's cabinet in January 2001.{{cite web

|url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/01/31/20010131news01.html

|title = Obasanjo Drops Sarumi, Menakaya, 8 Others

|author = Ibrahim-Imam

|work = ThisDay

|date = 31 January 2001

|accessdate = 6 May 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050115161500/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/01/31/20010131news01.html

|archive-date = 15 January 2005

|url-status = dead

}}

An elder statesman in Rivers State politics, in 1999, Graham-Douglas and Marshal Harry, Chairman of the Rivers State People's Democratic Party, settled for Dr Peter Odili as a consensus candidate for governor.{{cite web

|url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/07/04/20020704com01.html

|title = Odili and Ikwerre People

|author = Emma Okah

|work = ThisDay

|date = 4 July 2002

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050107021944/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/07/04/20020704com01.html

|archive-date = 7 January 2005

|url-status = dead

}}

By October 2002, Graham-Douglas was engaged in a public dispute with Odili.{{cite web

|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26580044_ITM

|title=2003: Rivers Group Moves Against Graham-Douglas.

|date=29 October 2002 |work=This Day

|author=Wale Olaleye

|accessdate=7 May 2010}}

He was strongly opposed to Odili's reelection.{{cite web

|url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/09/04/20020904pol06.html

|title = Combatants in Epic Battle in S/south (I)

|author = Oma Djebah

|work = ThisDay

|date = 4 September 2002

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051201130632/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/09/04/20020904pol06.html

|archive-date = 1 December 2005

|url-status = dead

}}

He said of Odili that "he has no respect for good governance and we have a right to call him to order".{{cite web

|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/06/08/20020608spe01.html

|title=SCORE-CARD!!!

|work=ThisDay

|date=8 June 2002 |accessdate=7 May 2010 |url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621015143/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/06/08/20020608spe01.html

|archivedate=21 June 2007 }}

In January 2007, following the PDP primaries in Rivers State in which Riverine candidates performed poorly compared to Uplanders, the Ijaw Consultative Assembly which Graham-Douglas had founded launched an attack on Ijaws who had served in Odili's government, apparently in a move to reverse the selection of Rotimi Amaechi as PDP candidate for governor.{{cite web

|url = http://www.beamnewsonline.com/N016/no16coverstory.html

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171028023430/http://www.beamnewsonline.com/N016/no16coverstory.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 28 October 2017

|date = 25 January 2007

|title = Brothers at War Alabo Attacks Horsfall, Briggs … Says "They all caused violence in their Communities"

|work = The Beam News

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

}}

This was a reversal of his position in 2003, when he had said the Ikwerres from Rivers East should take their turn after Peter Odili.{{cite web

|url = http://www.beamnewsonline.com/N015/news15.html

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171028023431/http://www.beamnewsonline.com/N015/news15.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 28 October 2017

|title = Amaechi's rumored disqualification ...PDP Chieftains Spit Fire

|date = 23 January 2007

|work = The Beam News

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

}}

Later he became a supporter of Amaechi.{{cite web

|url = http://www.beamnewsonline.com/Vol%207/N032/news.html

|date = 17 August 2009

|work = The Beam News

|title = Amaechi, Odili Are Co-Joined Twins ~ G.U. Ake, State Chairman PDP

|accessdate = 7 May 2010

}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

However, in February 2010, Graham-Douglas disagreed with Amaechi about marginalization of the Kalabari people, claiming problems were due to longstanding government neglect combined with efforts to cut oil-producing areas out of the Kalabari region. Amaechi took the position that Kalabari leaders themselves were to blame, and should do more to develop their communities and discourage militancy.{{cite web

|url=http://www.champion.com.ng/index.php?news=28290

|title=Amaechi, Graham-Douglas disagree on Kalabari marginalization

|date=23 February 2010

|work=Champion

|author=TONY ITA ETIM, PH

|accessdate=7 May 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Talking of the Niger delta crisis in an interview in October 2009, Graham-Douglas blamed the problems in part on the elections of 2003 when the boys were given arms and used to disrupt the polls. He said the recent amnesty was progress, but not enough. More should be done to provide local housing and employment.{{cite web

|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/03/niger-delta-crisis-affects-our-economic-base%E2%80%94alabo-graham-douglas/

|title=Niger Delta crisis affects our economic base—Alabo Graham Douglas

|date=3 October 2009

|work=Vanguard

|accessdate=7 May 2010}}

He was among leaders who that month protested the poor performance and lack of activity of the Ministry of Niger Delta.{{cite web

|url = http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200910270455059

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111002094536/http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200910270455059

|url-status = usurped

|archive-date = 2 October 2011

|title = N'Delta leaders protest ministry's inefficiency

|author = Sola Adebayo