GOVERNOR DICKSON BLASTS OFFICE SEEKING, INCONSISTENT POLITICIANS...as literary icon laid to rest...State Government donates N25M to Okara Foundation


GOVERNOR DICKSON BLASTS OFFICE SEEKING, INCONSISTENT POLITICIANS...as literary icon laid to rest...State Government donates N25M to Okara Foundation 

By Patrick Walson

Gov. Seriake Dickson


Bayelsa State Governor the Honourable Seriake Dickson over the weekend flayed the political class for their  inability to identify with the people they seek to govern in times of need.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei quoted the   Governor as having made the remark at the commendation service and burial of literary icon and international Poet, Dr. Gabriel Imomotimi Okara in Yenagoa on Friday.

The Governor expressed displeasure that such group of Bayelsans are only interested in imposing themselves on the people rather than identify with them particularly the passage of such a great literary icon who God used to bless the Ijaw nation. 

Governor Dickson noted that honouring both the living and the dead has been an essential component of his restoration government since 2012, expressing regret that they have failed to learn the lessons inherent in the virtues behind this philosophy.

According to the Governor, "Today we are burying and honouring this great man that God gave to us and you will not see them.

"The only time you see them is when they want to impose themselves on you and I. And they never learn the lesson that in the last 7 years we have been teaching; which is that a society that does not recognise and honour its best, a society that is in perpetual strife and looking for who to blame, pull down and destroy and not upholding and respecting what is good is a doomed society."

Governor Dickson also announced a donation of N25 million on behalf of the state government to the Dr. Gabriel Okara Foundation towards upholding the legacies of the distinguished  literary icon.

His words:"The Bayelsa State government will work and partner with you to see how we can be talking about his timeless works and the lessons he taught the world. We will support the foundation so that our stories that Dr. Okara told the world will continue from now til the end of time."

While expressing gratitude to people from all walks of life who attended the burial, the Governor particularly appreciated Prof. Brenda Marie-Osbey who came from the United States to be part of the final burial rites.

Eulogising the late Dr. Okara, a renowned historian, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa described him as an elder brother from whom he learnt a great deal.

Also paying tribute on behalf the bereaved family, the Secretary to the State Government, Bar. Kemela Okara thanked the governor for organizing a state burial, in honour of the literary giant.

He described it as an exceptional farewell to the literary legend.

In his remarks, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Mr. Denja Abudullahi, said rather than mourn the passage of Dr. Okara people should celebrate his eventful life of prodigious contributions to humanity through literature and public service.

Other prominent personalities that graced the event were the Deputy Governor, Rear Adm. Gboribiogha John Jonah, Prof. John Pepper Clark, a Poet of note, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa, a renowned historian, Prof. Kimse Okoko, former President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu and Prof. Godini Darah of the University of Africa, Toru Orua.

Former Minister of Police Affairs, Broderick Bozimo and his spouse, Mrs Elechi Amadi, former and serving national as well as state legislators, traditional rulers and well wishers paid their last respect to the departed literary hero.

 Dr.Okara's remains have been laid to rest in his home town, Bomoundi, in Yenagoa local government area.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Again, Amnesty Office Reassures Delegates That March Stipends Have Been Paid

Image
The Presidential Amnesty Programme has again reassured beneficiaries that it has paid the stipends for the month of March into their accounts. The Office explained in a statement on Friday that the monies meant for all the beneficiaries have been released to the banks for lodgment into their accounts a week ago. The Office explained further that the delay in receiving the credit alert by the delegates is due to technical issues associated with the banks. It was explained that the Office has taken up the issue with the banks involved and the affected delegates have started receiving their stipends in large numbers. The statement urged those who are yet to receive the stipends to check their accounts (transaction history) as the money would be in the accounts. The office commended the delegates for their maturity in dealing with the unforeseen development urging them  to exercise more patients as all such funds have been paid directly into their accounts ‘’We wish to state that the funds
Read more

Dream Come True, As NDDC Inaugurates Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce Board

Image
By Willie Etim When the idea was first muted, a number of cynics dismissed it, typical of naysayers in our society.  They thought that all the effort will end in futility. The resilience of Chief Samuel Ogbuku, (PhD), Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who nurtured the birth of the Niger Delta Chambers of Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), came to bear when all other such chambers in the region put up a resistance against the registration of NDCCITMA, a battle that lasted over nine months. As the initiator and benefactor of the NDCCITMA, the management of the NDDC, established a management committee for the chambers to midwife it to solid take off point. After the design of an implementation plan which was carefully followed, the committee terminated its engagement and set the stage for the official inauguration of the Chamber’s Board The eventful registration and inauguration of the Board of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industr
Read more

ASUU UniAbuja begins indefinite strike

Image
  The University of Abuja branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared an indefinite strike over some unresolved issues between the management and the union. Some of the issues include the illegal Advertorial for vacancy of the position of Vice Chancellor by the current vice chancellor of the institution and illegal recruitments without due Process. A statement by the Chairperson of the ASUU University of Abuja chapter, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh says the decision to embark on the indefinite strike was reached after the congress of the Chapter with approval by ASUU National.  Ugoh said after following due process in line with ASUU procedures, the Trustees and Principal Officers granted the branch the permission to proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike until the issues in contention were addressed. He said other issues include the refusal to conduct the election to the positions of Deanship into various faculties and Provost College of Health Sciences
Read more