Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has commiserated with Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Seriake Dickson and the Dickson family over the passage of the 72-year-old, Mrs Goldcoast Dickson.

Jonathan and Saraki who were in Toru Orua, the country home of Governor Dickson over the weekend extolled the sterling qualities of Mama Gogo as she was fondly called. They described her passing as a sad and a monumental loss not only to the Dickson family but to the entire state.

A press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dickson, Francis Ottah-Agbo quoted the former president as describing Mama Gogo’s sudden departure as a big blow particularly to Governor Dickson as he related with her like an elder sister.

Jonathan said: “Mrs Dickson tried her best in her lifetime but she was still a young person to have left us at this time. It is a sad moment for the immediate family and the rest of the community. Governor Dickson told me how he used to relate to his mother. She was like an elder sister to him because she got him at an early age. My foundation will support the cancer centre and join in the crusade against cancer.”

In his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, said he decided to personally condole with Governor Dickson and his family on behalf of his family and the Senate as a demonstration of his love and brotherhood to the governor.

Senator Saraki who acknowledged the trying times the Dickson family was going through over the loss of their matriarch, recalled how Governor Dickson also identified with the Saraki family when he lost his father.

He noted that the loss of a parent no matter how old they were was always a painful experience and urged the bereaved Dickson family to muster the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Describing Governor Dickson as a success and source of pride to the country, Senator Saraki prayed God to guide him and his family as he continues to do his good works not only in Bayelsa State but also in the country as a whole.

He said: “My brother, I'm here to commiserate with you on behalf of myself, members of the Senate over the loss of your mother. I had the opportunity to speak to you when it happened. When I lost my father, the governor came to commiserate with me.

“I am also here personally to commiserate with you to show love and brotherhood. I pledge to support the cancer centre and join in the war against the ailment. As a medical doctor, I know the danger cancer poses to the health sector and I don’t take the proposal of the Governor lightly for it is a lofty idea.”

Responding, Governor Seriake Dickson expressed gratitude to the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki for their show of concern in spite of their busy schedules.

Governor Dickson said: “We are elated and feel most honoured that you found time in spite of your tight schedules to personally come to commiserate with me. It’s a great honour to me, my family, the state and the entire Ijaw nation. As painful as her departure is, we are comforted by your visit.

“The Governor used the occasion to canvass partnership with the two prominent personalities on the planned Mrs Goldcoast Dickson Memorial Cancer Centre. He said the centre will help to reduce deaths arising from cancer which he noted is ravaging the Niger Delta.

“Since my mother died, we as a family have become crusaders against cancer which took her life. Cancer is decimating our population because of ignorance and late diagnosis, and so, we the family has decided to publicly launch a fund under the auspices of the Seriake Dickson Foundation to solicit support for the establishment of a cancer centre to champion the advocacy for cancer awareness and free early cancer screening.

“We need to actively engage our people to fight the scourge. We need your support; we need to tap into your extensive network locally and internationally to support the centre which will be private-driven.”

The Senate President was accompanied on the condolence visit by former Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada (Rtd), former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and a former House of Representatives member, Alhaji Jibrin Wakil and a host of others.

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