By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government on Thursday pledged to renovate the personal residence of the first civilian Governor of Rivers State, the late Senator Melford Obiene Okilo, at his home town Emakalakala in the Ogbia area of the state.
Governor Douye Diri made the pledge while making his remarks at the 16th Melford Okilo Memorial Public Lecture and Gala Night held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
Governor Diri, who spoke at the event through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, also promised to renovate St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Emakalakala which was built by Chief Medford Okilo.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, explained that the state government was undertaking the renovation projects as a mark of honour for Okilo’s patriotism and selfless service to Nigeria and humanity in general.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive noted that Chief Okilo was the first governor in the history of Nigeria to conceive and establish the first state university and independent power plant in the country in the early 1980s.
According to Governor Diri, if successive governments had built on what Senator Okilo started in the power sector, Rivers and Bayelsa states would have been completely lighted up by now.
Pouring encomium on the departed parliamentary secretary to Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Alhaji Tafawa Balewa in the First Republic, the Bayelsa helmsman pointed out that Okilo lived “his yesterday for today” through a sacrificial and visionary lifestyle.
His words: “From all that has been said, Chief Melford Okilo was a man who lived his yesterday for today. There are things we have started today which we ought to have started yesterday.
“Like the issue of power, if we had built on what Okilo did in the early 1980s, by now the whole of Rivers and Bayelsa states would have been lighted up, and we wouldn’t have had issues with NEPA or PHCN.
“He started the first independent power plant in Nigeria. He saw quality education as a weapon and tool for emancipation, and that is why he also established the first state university in the country, which is the Rivers State University.
“As a government we can’t talk about Melford Okilo sufficiently. But we will continue to honour his patriotic and selfless service to Rivers, Bayelsa, Nigeria and humanity in general.
“In that regard, I want to announce that the Bayelsa State Government is undertaking to renovate the personal residence of Chief Melford Okilo at Emakalakala in Ogbia LGA, as well as the church building where his memorial services had always been held at Emakalakala”
Presenting a public lecture on the theme, “Okilo: The Bridge-Builder and His Role in the Political Stability of Nigeria”, Dr. Godknows Bolade Igali described Chief Melford Okilo as the very epitome of integrity, patriotism and selfless service to society.
Dr. Igali stressed that Okilo was truly a bridge-builder, with an unblemished public service career that spanned from the First Republic to the present one that began in 1999, when he was elected Senator to represent the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Justifying the annual event to commemorate and celebrate Okilo, Dr. Igali urged both Rivers and Bayelsa state governments to continually honour their departed heroes such as Chief Dappa Biriye, Major Isaac Adaka Boro and others who made significant contributions towards the creation and development of the two states.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, emphasized that Chief Melford Okilo deserved to be celebrated for his monumental contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation.
The event was attended by dignitaries including former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by former SSG, Prof Edmund Allison-Oguru; former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.); serving and past House of Assembly members, commissioners, traditional rulers, amongst others.
