Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, April 10, 2016 expressed his grief over the death of the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
Jonathan spoke to journalists at Saint Peters Anglican Church in Yenagoa after the thanksgiving service for a successful burial ceremony that took place on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Amasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Among the attendees at the thanksgiving service were former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, Alfred Diette Spiff, Speaker of Bayelsa Assembly, Konbowei Benson, State Chief Judge, Kate Abiri, Ijaw National Congress President, Boma Obuoforibo.
Also at the service was the President of Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri, and other government officials.
According to Jonathan, Alamieyeseigha, fondly called the Governor-General of Ijaw nation would forever be remembered as his political mentor and leader.
The former president added that while some people do not live their name, Alamieyeseigha lived his full names.
Jonathan said: “The name Solomon means peace and wisdom, while Peter means rock or fearless and Alamieyeseigha was indeed endowed with uncommon wisdom, exhibited peace and stood for justice, fairness and equity.”
He noted that Alamieyeseigha was an astute politician and leader that could never be intimidated when he was convinced about the truth or what was right and just to move society forward.
“Alamieyeseigha laid the foundation and his achievements still dot every nook and cranny of Bayelsa; even the re-designing and re-building of this cathedral (Saint Peter’s Anglican Church) was Alamieyeseigha’s legacy” Jonathan said.
According to him, Alamieyeseigha changed the state’s acronym from Pride of the Nation to Glory of All Land.
On his part, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa described the late former governor as his pillar of strength, especially during his electioneering campaign when Alamieyeseigha served in different reconciliation committees to bring members of the PDP in the state and Ijaw people together.
He said that a major vacuum had been created by the demise and confessed that his campaign experienced its lowest moment when the death of Alamieyeseigha filtered into the state.
He lauded the people of the state who stood in solidarity with him during the 2015 poll and enjoined them to imbibe the character, virtues and forthrightness of Alamieyeseigha, whom he said was unparalleled and absolute toward the betterment of Ijaw people and the unity of all Nigerians.
Dickson prayed that God should bless Ijaw nation with many more people like Alamieyeseigha that would stand and defend her integrity.
In his remark, Bishop Oko Jaja of the Anglican Church admonished the people to emulate Alamieyeseigha who lived his life as ‘a candle in the wind’ adding that he was a selfless politician.
Oko noted that Alamieyeseigha was God fearing and dedicated the state to God while he was in office as governor; and prayed God to grant the wife, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha and the children, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
