By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The people of Otuogori in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have rolled out the red carpet to receive Hon. (Engr.) Munalayefa Edwin Gibson, leader of the Reality Team who represented Ogbia Constituency II in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for two terms.
Speaking as chief host of the reception, Engr. Damini Righteous Gilbert – member, State Advisory Committee on Community Development and Conflict Resolution, in his welcome address said the reception was organised to honour and thank Hon. Munalayefa Edwin Gibson for his effective representation, particularly facilitating the appointment of sons and daughters during the period he served as lawmaker, as well as the physical development, such as projects and empowerment programmes, he executed that impacted positively on the lives of the people
Chiefs, elders, youths, political and opinion leaders from various communities in the constituency, such as Barr. Goodnews Opuama from Emadike, Chief Saveme Owili, Okodi, Chief Sakurogha Ronami Oguta, Otuekpein, His Royal Highness Aseimo Goodman, Ag. paramount ruler of Otuogori, Mr. Daniola Ogoniba, Anyama, Hon.Eluan Oruwari – chairman Anyama RDA, Barr. Azibatam Johnbull, Commissioner Local Government Service Commission, Chief Macaulay Igwe , Onuegbum, His Royal Highness Ideme Idege Paramount Ruler Otuegwe among others in their separate solidarity speeches rendered in Ogbia dialect described Hon. Gibson Munalayefa Edwin as a focused grassroots politician who used his vantage position as a lawmaker to improve the lives of the people in the area by facilitating appointments from the Restoration to the Prosperity Administration, as well as executing several projects in the communities.
They prayed God to bless, guide, protect and lift him to higher level of leadership.
Responding to the encomiums poured on him, Hon. Gibson Munalayefa Edwin thanked the people of Ogbia Constituency 2 for voting Governor Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrujakpo (the PDP ticket.)
He described Governor Douye Diri as a humble, honest leader who has successfully unified the people across party lines, and restored peace to in the state, which he said has created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The two term lawmaker urged the people to continue to support the Prosperity Administration, assuring that Governor Douye Diri will complete ongoing projects in the area, while stressing that there is light in following Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo.
Hon. Munalayefa Edwin Gibson thanked Chief Damini Righteous for organizing the reception to formally welcome him back to the community after eight years of meritorious service to the constituency and thanked God for keeping him alive. He expressed appreciation to God for the conduct of peaceful governorship election in the area, and the victory of Governor Diri.
He expressed gratitude to Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for his support to serve in the State House of Assembly, the chiefs, elders, youths, women groups, political leaders for their support and show of solidarity during his stewardship and for appreciating his moderate achievements.
In a chat with newsmen at the venue of the reception, a member of the Okodi Council of Chiefs, Prince Hobson Inamuna said the essence of the reception was to honour Hon. Gibson Munalayefa Edwin for placing the Ayama group visibly on the political map of Bayelsa State.
The compound chiefs from various communities presented a matchet, torchlight, bunch of plantains, large cache of fresh fish to the former lawmaker and tied around his waist with a george wrapper and prayed God to take him higher in his future political career.
The Ag. Paramount Ruler of Otuogori, Hiss Royal Highness Aseimo Goodman gave the vote of thanks.
