Use Alameisiegha’s Death To Unite, Gov Dickson Urges Niger Delta Leaders

 Deparadigm

Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has urged the leaders from the nine states of the Niger Delta region not to see the last year demise of the former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alameiseigha as a lost but a symbol to unite and demand for equity and justice for the region.

Governor Dickson, who led notable Ijaw leaders at home and in Diaspora to pay homage to the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, one year after his demise at Ammassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Council Area of the State,‎urged them to see his departure as a rallying point to forge a united front, demand for equity and fairness.

Governor Dickson, while speaking at the occassion, through his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said though Late Alamieyeseigha would be remembered for his doggedness and struggle for the emancipation of Ijaw nation, the people should see his exit as a wake up call to unite.

Dickson said the late Alamieyeseigha is a bridge builder and passionate crusader of Ijaw national interest,”I challenge Ijaw sons and daughters to see Alameiseigha’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 including 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 Governor expressed gratitude to all who attended the event from within and outside the state, the chiefs and people of Amassoma, particularly the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council for its offer to back roll the Alamieyeseigha Memorial activities next year.

Addressing journalists after the event, the state commissioner for Information, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite said the worth of late Alamieyesiegha can never be over emphasized, stressing that Bayelsa 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 the governor General.

Giving their solidarity speech, President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, elder statesman and politician, Chief Thompson Okorotie, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Council Area, Mr Joshua McCaiver, and an opinion leader in Amassoma Community, Mr Eric Avi all stressed the need for the Federal Government to attach seriousness to the ongoing calls for dialogue.

Eradiri specifically urged 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 table 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 stop forthwith, 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 shows disrespect for the Ijaw nation.

Reviewing a book titled, Alamieyeseigha: The Man, The Legend, Chief Willie Bozimo described the former Bayelsa Governor as second freedom fighter of the region, who showed rare courage in championing the Niger Delta cause, which was vehemently opposed by an oppressive group he calls the Wazobia conspirators.

According to Chief Bozimo, the 20-chapter book written by Gesikeme Akprakasa in a conversational style contains the documented memoirs and interviews of the late Amassoma-born hero.