Bayelsans and dignitaries from other states gathered on Friday for a Public Lecture commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State.
The event, held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, was themed
“In the Niger Delta Voice, Through Nigeria’s Soul: Federalism, Resource Control and the Contemporary Nigerian State in DSP Alamieyeseigha Legacies.”
Delivering the lecture, Professor Ibaba S. Ibaba, a renowned political scientist, described Alamieyeseigha as one whose “advocacy challenged the asymmetric character of Nigeria’s federalism.”
According to Ibaba, Alamieyeseigha insisted that Nigeria should respect derivation principles, “so that oil-producing communities were not reduced to beggars at the gates of their own wealth.”
The Panel Discussion was anchored by popular journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati alongside Professor Steve Azaiki, former House of Representatives member, Elder TK Ogoriba and Annkio Briggs.
The discussants noted that Alamieyeseigha’s pioneer sacrifices laid the foundation for Bayelsa’s progress.
In his remarks, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, averred that the former governor selflessly built pioneering institutions that made governance in Bayelsa functional.
“Alamieyeseigha never forgot where he came from. He visited our communities often, listened to our struggles. He was a man of the people in every sense.”
Diri while bemoaning lack of unity among governors in the Niger Delta region stated the “Alamieyeseigha believed in the Ijaw Struggle and always spoke of a united Niger Delta.
“Even when things were difficult, he maintained his dignity and commitment to our people.”
He stated that the institutionalization of resources is non-negotiable because “if we control our resources, we will not be where we are today. We will have more resources to develop our land just like Alamieyeseigha envisaged.”
Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, described Alamieyeseigha as a statesman whose dream for a prosperous Niger Delta will continue to be a guiding light in the region.
Ibori noted that Alamieyeseigha’s fight for resource control and true federalism in the Niger Delta were at great personal cost.
Dignitaries who graced the event include, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, Secretary to the State Government, HRH King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon Brass Kingdom, and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, immediate past Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Others are the Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Chiedu Ebie, MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare,
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, lawmakers, political appointees, traditional rulers, activists, among others also attended the event.
