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Diri, Adeleke, Others Commemorate Alamieyeseigha’s 8th Memorial Anniversary
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke have both praised the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s commitment to the development of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation.
Both governors, speaking at the 8th memorial anniversary of Bayelsa State’s first civilian governor in Yenagoa on Tuesday, asked Bayelsans to reflect on the late Ijaw leader’s enduring legacies, which include encouraging unity, peace, and development.
After a brief illness, Chief Alamieyeseigha died on October 10, 2015.
Senator Diri described him as a man of the people who worked hard to protect the Ijaws’ collective interests in the country, noting that one of the best ways to immortalize him and other fallen heroes was to join hands to build the state by emphasizing what united the people rather than what divided them.
In the words of Diri, “We did not come to mourn Chief Alamieyeseigha but to celebrate the life and times of our departed leader.”He served his country as a military officer before retiring to serve his state and the Ijaw nation, earning him the title ‘Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation.’
“He appointed me as Secretary of the Centre For Youth Development in his administration. Anyone who came in contact with him never regretted it. We learned a lot from him.
“He was indeed an Ijaw nationalist in all ramifications. He was there to always protect the interest of the Ijaw man. He was a man of the people.”
Diri, who said Alamieyeseigha’s reconciliatory stance inspired his leadership style, urged Bayelsans, particularly the political class, to put aside their political differences and work together to create Bayelsa, the Jerusalem of all Ijaws.
Governor Adeleke paid respect to Alamieyeseigha, saying he provided a solid foundation for the state on which subsequent administrations were built.
Adeleke lauded the late Ijaw icon as a compassionate leader and urged the Alamieyeseigha family, particularly his wife, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, to carry on his legacy.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, president of the Ijaw National Congress, said in a public lecture titled “The Ijaw Question And The Leadership Imperatives: Lessons From Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha’s Legacies,” that Alamco, as he was affectionately known, was an apostle of resource control, fiscal federalism, and self-determination, a cause he fought for until his death.
Prof. Okaba believes that for the Ijaws and the Niger Delta to achieve sustainable development, there must be effective leadership and responsible followership in the fight for self-determination.
Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Forum and the state’s immediate past deputy governor, characterized Alamieyeseigha as a bold leader who stood firm and spoke truth to power in his goodwill message.
According to Jonah, “The departed hero made sacrifices for all of us and will be remembered as a brother not only to his family but to many.”
Hon. Steve Azaiki, former member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency and one-time Secretary to the State Government, said Alamieyeseigha was a bold and courageous believer in resource control.
Also, the chairman, Nembe Congress, Senator Nimi Barigha Amange, said Alamieyeseigha played politics of inclusiveness and promoted unity among his people.
A former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, equally eulogised the late leader as Olotu 1 of Bayelsa State, who he said helped to advance his career when he coached the national team.
Dame Grace Fiepere, a Chief of Staff, Government House in the Alamieyeseigha administration, said he was intelligent and that he mentored many political leaders just as he gave his all to the development of the state.
In his response, the son of the departed hero, Seleakeagha Alamieyeseigha, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri and everyone that gathered to honor the memory of his father.
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged for necessary measures to protect journalists and other media workers during this weekend’s off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.
The group sent the request to the federal and state governments, as well as law enforcement and security agencies, stressing that the role of journalists in disseminating information about the electoral process is critical to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a statement issued ahead of the elections in Lagos and signed by the Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda, Idowu Adewale, MRA also urged journalists to be cautious and to use its existing hotline (08138755660) to report any threat or attack they may encounter during the process, as well as any obstacle.
Adewale said in the statement: “Given the pattern of heightened attacks on journalists and the media during previous elections, including the recent 2023 general elections, as well as the tense political climate in the three states in the lead-up to the elections, measures must be taken to ensure general security during the elections and provide adequate protection for journalists covering the elections.”
“Access to information allows citizens and other members of the public to have the information they need about political and electoral processes, facilitating effective public participation in elections,” he says.
“Journalists and the media play an important role in ensuring residents and other members of the public have access to information and may participate in the process.
“As part of efforts to preserve the integrity of the polls, it is also critical that the safety and well-being of these interlocutors be assured and safeguarded.”
Lamenting the increased number of attacks on journalists in the run-up to the off-cycle elections, as well as earlier this year in the run-up to the general elections, he emphasised that “a free and vibrant media is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear, coercion, or violence.” During this vital phase, MRA stands ready to assist them and assure their safety.”
Men from the Edo State Police Command are said to have detained Mrs. Toluige Olokoobi’s husband after he allegedly murdered her.
Olokoobi was the mother of Oreofeoluwa Lawal-Babalola, the tiny boy whose video went viral in 2020 after he pleaded with his mother, “Mummy be calming down.”
Oreofeoluwa rose to prominence on social media after a video of him crying in an attempt to confidently appeal to his mother, who chastised him, went viral.
The film inspired Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who used it to deliver an Eid-el-Kabir appeal to Muslims and Lagos people in general to remain calm during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following that, the youngster and his family met with the governor, who praised his bravery and poise.
While little has been heard about the family in three years, heartbreaking news broke on social media on Tuesday that the boy’s mother had committed suicide.
According to an X user, Olokoobi committed suicide in Benin, the capital of Edo State, for unknown reasons.
The X user, who stated that he was present at the site on Monday afternoon, went on to say that she had refused to disclose her difficulties with anyone before committing herself.
“The woman in the viral Mummy Calm Down video has just committed suicide here in Benin,” he stated in an email.
“She refused to discuss her problems with anyone.” She abandoned three children for her husband, including the well-known Mummy Calm Down boy.”
Meanwhile, confirming Olokoobi’s death in a chat with BBC Pidgin, the spokesperson of the Edo State police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said her husband has been arrested and detained for questioning.
Nwabuzor said the husband reported the matter to the police.
The police spokesperson quoted the husband to have said that “he came home from the market when he saw his wife hanging with rope on her neck”.
Nwabuzor said she was rushed to the hospital and then to the mortuary after she was confirmed dead. (Adapted from a Vanguard report).
The Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Conference Hall was a hive of activity Thursday as CP Aderemi Adeoye took turns decorating around 18 promoted officers of the command with their new titles.
The delight of some of the officers whose wives assisted the CP in decorating their husbands with their new ranks knew no bounds, as their husbands duly saluted their wives and the CP for their new positions and responsibilities.
Obi Innocent, one of the officers elevated to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), whose wife joined CP Aderemi Adeoye in adorning him with his new rank, said it was wonderful that the Inspector General of Police thought him worthy.
CSP Obi Innocent, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13, Police Zonal Headquarters Ukpo, stated that his new rank was a call to service and that he would do his best to uphold the charge given to them by CP Aderemi Adeoye to respect and protect the citizenry’s fundamental rights in the discharge of their new assignments.
Charity Akharame, who was honoured with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and was the only female officer among the 18 promoted officers decorated with new ranks, said it was not an easy feat but she was grateful to be among those who were decorated with their new ranks.
DSP Charity Akharame, the officer in charge of stores in the Anambra State Police Command, recalled how she began as a Police Constable and worked her way up to her current position as Deputy Superintendent of Police.
She stated that as a very disciplined police officer, she would follow the Police Commissioner’s directions regarding respect for all and sundry in the fulfillment of her constitutional obligations.
Jane-Frances Obi, one of the spouses of the officers elevated to the level of CSP, stated that being the wife of a police officer was not an easy assignment. As a result, she recommended any lady who is married to a police officer to be patient and understanding because the job is quite demanding.
Jane-Frances Obi, whose husband is Innocent Obi, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13 Ukpo, believes the promotion is a reward for years of being patient, understanding, and standing in for them when they are not present.
Meanwhile, Emenike Chinenyenwa, who was decorated with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and presented a vote of appreciation, expressed deep gratitude to the IGP and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission for considering them worthy of being adorned in their new ranks.
ACP Emenike, the officer in charge of Medicals, stated that the elevation comes with increased responsibility and that they will work harder in their new tasks.
CP Aderemi Adeoye praised the current promotion winners in his remarks, noting that two aspects make the police career very interesting and eventful. He stated that one is for promotion and the other is for positions.
CP Adeoye, on the other hand, urged the newly honored officers to develop more empathy, compassion, care, and dedication in the performance of their jobs.
The police chief insisted that newly promoted officers must first recognise that they share the same humanity as others, and as a result, they must treat all people with dignity and protect their fundamental human rights at all times.
CP Aderemi Adeoye stressed that without the enormous roles of spouses, they wouldn’t have been successful in their careers. He therefore congratulated all the promoted and prayed that God gives them good health to enjoy the new ranks and the energy to discharge the responsibilities of their new offices.
- Source: Independent
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