The Bayelsa State Government on Friday renamed the Banquet Hall, Government House, as Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Hall, thereby signalling the first step towards immortalising the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

The government also named after him the Etegwe/Tombia Road linking his hometown, Amassoma.

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who made the pronouncement during a valedictory State Executive Council (SEC) session in Yenagoa, said the state government would build a mausoleum for Chief Alamieyeseigha and other Ijaw leaders including first civilian governor of old Rivers State, Chief Melford Okilo, General Owoye Azazi, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Rex Jim Lawson, among others at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park in Yenagoa.

He lamented that the Ijaws have lost a foremost voice in the person of Chief Alamieyeseigha, who was fondly called, Governor General of the Ijaw nation, describing the Executive Council Session as extra-ordinary.

Dickson said: “The state has lost a foremost voice but in solidarity and celebration of a life well lived, the government has started the tradition of honouring its heroes from Gen. Owoye Azazi, Isaac Adaka Boro and King Robert Ebizimor.

“I urge Bayelsans and all Ijaws to be united and support the ideals and vision Chief Alamieyeseigha labored and died for. Let us continue to rally the Ijaws for positive development as he came saw and did his best. We all will miss his wise counsel, doggedness and belief in the Ijaw cause.”

In his tribute, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan said the former governor touched many lives in a positive way, stating that, he lived a brief, but fulfilled life as he gave him every opportunity to run the state in his absence.

While commending Governor Dickson for honouring Chief Alamieyeseigha by giving him a state burial, Jonathan urged him to continue with the tradition, describing the departure of the Ijaw leader as very sad and a personal loss.

Also in his tribute, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, noted that, late Alamieyeseigha was a trail blazer, an epitome of justice and fair play.

The State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, said the foundation and growth of the Judiciary was laid by late Alamieyeseigha, as he provided tools for the Judiciary to work effectively and efficiently.

The valedictory Executive Council session had in attendance all former commissioners from 1999 to date, who spoke glowingly about the achievements of Chief Alamieyeseigha.

Some of the commissioners and political leaders, who spoke about the legacies of the late Ijaw leader were Prof. Steve Azaiki, one time Secretary to State Government, Chief Claudius Inengesi, former Commissioner, Mrs Megan Bozimo, former commissioner, Hon. Agatha Goma, Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, Amb. Godknows Igali, Chief Thompson Okorotie, former Special Adviser on Political Matters, King Alfred Diete Spiff, chairman of Traditional Rulers Council and Amayanabo of Twon Brass.

•Photo shows late DSP Alamieyeseigha.

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