The NDC candidate for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency of Cross River State, Mr. Fidelis Duker, has called on the United States, United Kingdom and other North American and European nations who participated in the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries to consider reparations to Calabar South and Cross River State for their role in that era of human exploitation.
Mr. Duker made the call today in New York, United States of America, during activities marking the International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition, observed globally every August 23.
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Calabar was one of the most significant departure points for enslaved Africans in the Gulf of Guinea.
Between 1662 and 1863, an estimated 200,000 to over 1 million enslaved Africans were forced onto ships from the Calabar port. Thousands of those citizens were from present-day Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South communities.
A LEGISLATIVE MANDATE FOR JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Speaking on the significance of the day, Mr. Duker said the memory of the slave trade must move beyond remembrance to restorative action.
“One key area I will strongly pursue at the National Assembly is legislative support and advocacy towards slave trade reparations and the positioning of Calabar South as a global slave heritage destination,” he stated.
“This aligns with the ongoing efforts of our government to unlock Cross River State’s tourism potential, attract financial compensation, the return of stolen cultural artifacts, and systemic policy changes from nations and institutions that profited from the forced enslavement of millions of Africans.”
He noted that reparatory justice is not about dwelling in the past, but about correcting historical imbalances and creating opportunities for the descendants of victims.
WHAT REPARATIONS SHOULD LOOK LIKE FOR OUR PEOPLE
Mr. Duker outlined a 4-point agenda he will champion for the constituency if elected:
- Infrastructure Development Fund: Direct investment in roads, health centers, schools, and coastal protection in Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South using reparations and heritage grants.
- Calabar Heritage & Tourism District: Federal and international partnership to develop Calabar South into a UNESCO-recognized Slave Heritage Site and Museum to drive tourism and jobs.
- Return of Cultural Artifacts: Advocacy for the repatriation of artifacts and archival records taken from the region during the slave trade era.
- Youth and Women Empowerment Grants: Access to education, skills and business grants for descendants of affected communities to build generational wealth.
“I firmly believe that the people of Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South deserve to benefit directly from reparatory justice through infrastructure development, grants, and stronger federal representation in matters that shape their economic future,” Mr. Duker added.
CALL TO ACTION
Mr. Duker urged the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Cross River State Government, the Diaspora Commission, and traditional institutions to form a unified front to engage international partners on the issue.
“As we remember the millions who were taken, we must also act for the millions who remain. Justice delayed is development denied,” he said.
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He concluded: “This is my mandate, and I am committed to pursuing it for the collective prosperity of our constituency and Cross River State.”
About Mr. Fidelis Duker
Mr. Fidelis Duker is the NDC candidate for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency. He is a cultural advocate, tourism developer, and community leader committed to youth empowerment, heritage preservation, and economic transformation of the constituency.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
