The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe, has described the unflinching commitment of the Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, to the Ijaw cause, as impeccable.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. FIdelis Soriwei, quoted Alaibe as having made the comment when he led the leaders of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area on a condolence visit to the Toru Orua country home of the governor, to condole him on the death of his mother, Mrs. GoldCoast Dickson, on Tuesday.

Alaibe stressed that, even critics of the governor would agree with the fact of the firm disposition of the governor to the promotion of the interest of the Ijaw Nation.

The former MD of NDDC said, the decision of Governor Dickson to retrieve the remains of Ijaw leader and hero, Majo Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, to Bayelsa State, further confirmed the governor’s commitment and passion to the promotion of issues affecting the Ijaw Nation.

Alaibe listed the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, among some of the major developmental exploits of the Governor Dickson’s administration deliberately designed to touch the Ijaw Nation.

He said that, the late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson groomed the governor to live a life of excellence and service to humanity.

He said: “Even critics will agree that Governor Seriake Dickson is a man who stands for the Ijaw cause. His commitment to the Ijaw cause is impeccable.

“We have all seen it in some of the actions he has taken in the retrieval of, as it concerns us the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma, the remains of Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. That was touching to us, and was a sore point for our people.

“We are also beneficiaries of the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama. That again shows the kind of person you are. This is all the grooming your mother gave you.”

Alaibe stressed that he was touched by the decision of the governor to devote attention to the pressing need to eradicate the scourge of cancer at a time he was mourning his late mother, who was really close to him.

He pledged to give the requisite support to the planned centre, in pursuit of the laudable objectives of preventing cancer-related deaths, saying he too was also affected by the disease at some point.

He said: “We are touched also that even in the time grief, we are discussing how to remediate successive ailments like the serious and ferocious cancer. That ailment that has taken the lives of our people. I was personally affected at some point.

“For you to take this action requires support. You discussed with me when I first came here to see you and I said it is a good initiative. Cancer screening is one very important factors. Cancer is treatable if it is identified in advance.

“Unfortunately, some of the major challenges in the Niger Delta include infrastructural challenges, socio-political challenges, economic challenges and the final one, environmental challenges, which is directly related to some of the illnesses that we have.

“I stand here to support the initiative. His Excellency once you start, I will be one of those that will support the cancer initiative.”

Alaibe commended the Governor for his creative and efficient governance in Bayelsa State.

In his remarks, Governor Dickson commended Alaibe for pledging to support the centre, even before it became operational.

The Governor thanked Bayelsans, the Ijaw Nation and indeed Nigerians for the unprecedented outpouring of sympathy to the Dickson family on the death of his mother.

He said that over N50 million donations, in cash and in pledges had been made to the foundation, since the family took the decision to establish a cancer centre, in honour of the memory of his late mother.

Governor Dickson said that the family would soon announce a date for the burial of his late mother/

Alaibe was accompanied in the visit by His Royal Majesty, Mozi Agara, Aluku III, the Ebenanaowei òf Kolokuma, HRM, KING Okpoitari Diongoli Opu Okun IV, the Ibedaowei òf Opokuma and others.

•Photo by Lucky Francis shows former Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe (left) speaking during a condolence visit to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) over the death of his mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson at Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State, while the wife of the Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Rachael Dickson (right) looks on.

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