By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke, have commended the passion of the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha for the development of the Niger Delta state and the Ijaw nation as a whole.
Both governors, who eulogised the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State during his 8th memorial anniversary in Yenagoa on Tuesday, urged Bayelsans to reflect on the enduring legacies of late Ijaw leader, which include fostering unity, peace and development.
Chief Alamieyeseigha died on October 10, 2015 after a brief illness.
Governor Diri described him as a man of the people, who worked hard to protect the collective interests of the Ijaws in the country, noting that one of the best ways to immortalise him and other fallen heroes was to join hands to build the state by placing emphasis on what united the people rather than the things that divided them.
According to Diri, “we did not come to mourn Chief Alamieyeseigha but to celebrate the life and times of our departed leader.
“He served the country as a military officer and ended his career serving his state and Ijaw nation, which earned him the sobriquet ‘Governor-General of Ijaw Nation.’
“He appointed me as secretary of the Centre For Youth Development in his administration. Anyone that came in contact with him never regretted. We learned a lot from him.
“He was indeed an Ijaw nationalist in all ramifications. He was there to always protect the interest of the Ijaw man. He was a man of the people.”
Diri, who said his leadership style was greatly influenced by Alamieyeseigha’s reconciliatory posture, implored Bayelsans, particularly the political class, to set aside their political differences and join forces to build Bayelsa, the Jerusalem of all Ijaws.
In his tribute, Governor Adeleke said Alamieyeseigha laid a solid foundation for the state, which successive administrations built upon.
Adeleke described the late Ijaw icon as a compassionate leader and encouraged the Alamieyeseigha family, especially his wife, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, to continue to build on his legacies.
Delivering a public lecture titled, ‘The Ijaw Question And The Leadership Imperatives: Lessons From Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha’s Legacies,’ president of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said Alamco, as he was fondly called, was an apostle of resource control, fiscal federalism and self-determination, a cause he fought for until his death.
According to Prof. Okaba, to attain sustainable development for the Ijaws and Niger Delta, there must be effective leadership and responsible followership in the quest for self-determination.
In his goodwill message, chairman, Bayelsa Elders Forum and immediate past deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), described Alamieyeseigha as a fearless leader who stood firm and spoke truth to power.
According to Jonah, “the departed hero made sacrifices for all of us and will be remembered as a brother not only to his family but to many.”
Hon. Steve Azaiki, former member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency and one-time secretary to the state government, said Alamieyeseigha was a bold and courageous believer in resource control.
Also, chairman, Nembe Se Congress, Senator Nimi Barigha Amange, said Alamieyeseigha played politics of inclusiveness and promoted unity among his people.
A former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, equally eulogised the late leader as Olotu 1 of Bayelsa State, who he said helped to advance his career when he coached the national team.
Dame Grace Fiepere, former chief of staff, Government House in the Alamieyeseigha administration, said former governor was intelligent and he mentored many political leaders just as he gave his all to development of the state.
In his response, son of the departed hero, Seleakeagha Alamieyeseigha, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri and everyone that gathered to honour the memory of his father.
