SAN FRANCISCO, October 12, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson has called on all leaders of the Niger Delta region to see the death of the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as a symbol for unity which should spur them to demand for equity and justice for the region.
Dickson, who stated this when he led notable Ijaw leaders to pay homage to the first civilian governor of the state, one year after his demise at Ammassoma, urged them to see his death as a rallying point to forge a united front, stressing that the late Alamieyeseigha would be remembered for his doggedness and struggle for the emancipation of Ijaw nation.
Speaking through his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, the governor described the deceased former governor as a bridge builder and passionate crusader of Ijaw national interest.
“I challenge Ijaw sons and daughters to see Alamieyeseigha’s departure as a rallying point to forge a united front, demand for equity and fairness.”
Dickson also acknowledged some of the achievements of the late former governor to include: the establishment of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, which he noted, has contributed in no small measure towards boosting the growth of education and human capacity development in the state.
The state commissioner for Information, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, who addressed newsmen after the event, averred that the worth of the late former governor can never be overemphasized; stressing that Bayelsa state would not be where it is today if not for him.
Obuebite also lauded the chairman of Southern Ijaw for declaring 10th October as a public holiday in honour of Alamieyeseigha, fondly called Governor-General of the Ijaw nation.
Giving a solidarity speech, President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate his predecessors such as Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Goodluck Jonathan by being part of the dialogue with Niger Delta agitators rather than mandate proxies to negotiate with the people of the Niger Delta.
The IYC President also re-echoed his call on the Federal Government to put an end to what he describes as unwarranted attack and harassment of the immediate past first family of the country, noting that the ongoing selective media trial of wife of the former president, Dame Patience Jonathan masterminded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, shows disrespect for the Ijaw nation.
Story by Ugonnabo Ngwu
