Bayelsans gathered in Yenagoa recently to reminisce on the life, times and achievements of their first civilian governor, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter (DSP) Alamieyeseigha.
The event was the 7th Memorial Anniversary and Annual Public Lecture organized by the state government at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, with the wife of the immediate past president of the country, Dame Patience Jonathan, in attendance.
Also in attendance were the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, wife of the former Governor, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha, the President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, traditional rulers including the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the legacies of Chief Alamieyeseigha as indelible and unforgettable, saying he laid a worthy foundation under very trying circumstances for successive governments to build the state.
Represented by Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor noted that the Amassoma-born hero passed on at a time the ovation was loudest as a true Ijaw son and political liberator who championed the struggle for resource control and fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
According to him, Chief Alamieyeseigha sacrificed himself for the first Ijaw man to become president of Nigeria through his doggedness and advocacy for the minorities to be recognized at the top echelon of national politics.
Governor Diri likened the leadership qualities of Alamieyeseigha to that of King Solomon in the bible, stressing that his predecessor was wise enough to lay the foundation for the political, economic and educational development of Bayelsa.
He encouraged the immediate family to continue to take solace in the legacies their father and husband left behind and promised to sustain the annual program in honour of the departed hero of the state and the entire Niger Delta.
His words: “When people say that Alamieyeseigha felt offended, I always reply, ‘he was just fighting all his battles to immortalize his name as a David’. He was also a Solomon, because he laid the foundation on which other governors have been building.
“He was a wise man to have established the Niger Delta University, initiated bursary, attracted foreigners to bring home investment and so, he remains one of the greatest kings to have ruled Bayelsa”
“He was also a Peter, who stood for resource control and stood by the gospel of resource control and he was crucified for it. He is an Alamieyeseigha meaning, ‘God does no wrong’, so it was the will of God that he passed on at that time.
“For every upliftment, there is a sacrifice that must be made. For an Ijaw man to occupy the presidency of Nigeria, a sacrifice had to be made. The blemish and appropriate sacrifice was Alamieyeseigha”
In her goodwill message to the Alamieyeseigha family, former first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, described the Bayelsa pioneer civilian Governor as a father to all who never discriminated against anyone he encountered.
Dame Jonathan, noted that the occasion calls for sober reflection and lessons to be learnt on the life and times of Alamieyeseigha, and urged people of the state to shun the pull- him- down syndrome that is hindering their growth and development.
Delivering the annual lecture titled: “Of Governance, Heroism and Nationalism: Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Seven Years After,” the chief historian and archivist of Bayelsa State, Dr Stephen Temegha Olali, eulogized Alamieyeseigha as a philosopher governor who led his people from the front.
Also speaking, the general overseer of Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, re-echoed Chief Robert Enogha’s request at the event, by calling on the state government to put together a truth, peace and reconciliation commission as a unifying mechanism.
On his part, president of the Ijaw National Council, Professor Benjamin Okaba said Chief Alamieyeseigha earned the title of “Governor General of Ijaw Nation”, by identifying with the pains and challenges of Ijaw people within and outside Bayelsa State.
In his tribute, the chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, urged Ijaw people to see themselves as the true owners of the resources in their land and stop fighting one another over the pittance thrown at them, by those who are not just oppressing them but, also expropriating their God-given wealth.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Patrick Erasmus, explained that the annual event was put together to not only remind the people of Chief Alamieyeseigha’s achievements but also inspire them to show love and support for every worthy Ijaw cause.
Others who spoke at event included Alamieyeseigha’s sons, Ebipade and Selaike, chairman, Bayelsa Founding Fathers Forum, Chief Benedict Guembe, Vice Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, Chief Austin Lugbenwei and a former national chairman of Ijaw Youths Council, Chief Oyinfie Jonjon.
