PANDEF-Leader-Amb.-Dr.-Godknows-Igali-Pays-Tribute-to-Intelligence-Legend-Chief -A.-K.-Horsfall

PANDEF Leader Amb. Dr. Godknows Igali Pays Tribute to Intelligence Legend Chief A.K. Horsfall

Dave Ikiedei Asei | Wisdom Tide News | September 25, 2026

In a historic moment of regional solidarity and statesmanlike leadership, the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, has extended the profound condolences of PANDEF and the entire Niger Delta people to the Horsfall family and the Kalabari Kingdom. 

Addressing an esteemed gathering that included the Chairman, Managing Director, former Managing Directors, and Board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alongside directors and members of the Horsfall family, Amb. Dr. Igali offered a stirring tribute to the enduring legacy of the late elder statesman, Chief A.K. Horsfall.

Demonstrating the visionary stewardship that has come to define his leadership of PANDEF, Amb. Dr. Igali spoke with unified conviction on behalf of the Niger Delta region. His address underscored PANDEF's steadfast mission under his leadership to honor the foundational figures whose sacrifice, courage, and public service shaped both regional identity and the broader national security architecture of Nigeria.

Highlighting Chief Horsfall's unprecedented public service career, Amb. Dr. Igali traced the fallen icon's trajectory back to 1962, when Horsfall first joined the elite 'E' Branch of the Nigerian Police Force. Through relentless dedication, integrity, and operational excellence, Chief Horsfall steadily rose through the ranks of Nigeria's national security structures to eventually serve as the Deputy Director-General of the former Nigerian Security Organization (NSO).

Amb. Dr. Igali emphasized the singular milestone that set Chief Horsfall apart in Nigerian history: his historic appointment as the pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and his subsequent role at the helm of the State Security Services (SSS). By successfully leading the NSO, NIA, and SSS, Chief Horsfall achieved the unmatched distinction of becoming the only Nigerian to have ever commanded all three major national intelligence arms of the country.

Beyond his legendary career in national defense, Chief Horsfall seamlessly transitioned into post-retirement advocacy for the Niger Delta region—a commitment that deeply mirrors Amb. Dr. Igali’s own lifelong dedication to regional peace, equity, and strategic development. Serving as the pioneer Chairman of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) and holding the prestigious title of Omojuwa of Kalabari, Chief Horsfall laid the bedrock for structured resource advocacy and regional advancement.

Amb. Dr. Igali noted Chief Horsfall's vital contributions as a frontline leader within PANDEF, where he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with revered regional patriarchs such as Chief Edwin Clark and Chief Pere Ajuwa. Together, these national statesmen mobilized the Niger Delta behind common principles of equity, justice, and peaceful engagement, crafting a political voice that continues to advocate effectively for the Niger Delta under Amb. Dr. Igali’s strategic guidance.

Concluding his tribute, Amb. Dr. Igali formally praised the Board and Management of the NDDC for recognizing Chief Horsfall’s monumental contributions and honoring his memory in such a fitting and dignified manner.

Through his articulate and unifying address, Amb. Dr. Igali once again affirmed his status as a premier diplomat, scholar, and leader capable of bridging historical legacy with future regional progress, ensuring that Nigeria’s national heroes receive the reverence and immortalization they truly deserve.