Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, tuesday eulogised the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, one year after his demise.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Dickson urged the federal government to intensify its efforts at developing the Niger Delta by tackling peculiar needs of the people, especially in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare delivery and education.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, said Alamieyeseigha would be remembered for his doggedness and struggle for the emancipation of the Ijaw nation.
Dickson described the Alamieyeseigha as a bridge builder and passionate crusader of the Ijaw national interest and challenged Ijaw sons and daughters to see his departure as a rallying point to forge a united front, demand equity and fairness.
He praised the late former governor for establishing the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, which he noted, has contributed in boosting the growth of education and human capacity development in the state.
The factional President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, IYC, Udengs Eradiri, on the occasion, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate his predecessors by being part of the dialogue table, rather than mandate proxies to negotiate with the people of the Niger Delta.
The youth leader re-echoed his call on the federal government to stop forthwith, what he described as unwarranted attack and harassment of the immediate past first family of the country.
