Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on Thursday in Bayelsa State, laid wreathes at the graveside of celebrated Ijaw hero, Major Isaac Boro, who first declared a Niger Delta Republic in 1966.
He also recognized Capt. Sam Owonaro, Boro’s second in command, who also fought against the federal forces in a battle that lasted 12 days before they (rebels) were overwhelmed, tried and jailed.
Gowon, who was on a two-day visit to the state inaugurated projects including the new Governor’s Office, Yenagoa and the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, a free boarding secondary school where he received his portrait designed by an SS1 student, Master Ebidoumene Godsfavour.
He hailed the contribution of Ijaw people to the nation, adding that, “The Ijaw people have contributed to the development of this country and have guarded its unity jealously.
“Some of them we have now lost. You have made efforts to keep the nation one.”
At the Ijaw National Academy, Gowon expressed confidence that Governor Seriake Dickson’s revolutionary approach to educational development would turn around the fortunes of Bayelsa State in the near future.
Gowon urged the students of the academy to make use of the school correctly and properly and protect the facilities therein.
He stated: ”I hope you young people will make very good use of it, you will ensure that you will not only use it correctly and properly but also defend it to the last of your blood.
”That means, I hope you will never think of creating any problem in this academy to destroy these excellent facilities that have been provided for you.’’
In his remarks, Governor Dickson described Gowon as a father of the nation, who had contributed tremendously to the unity and the progress of the country, both during and after his reign as Head of State.
Dickson also renamed the access road linking the Academy to the East-West Road after Late Prof. Kay Williamson in recognition of her contribution to the development of Ijaw language and culture.
In his remarks, Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark attributed the lack of development in Ijaw land to the absence of educational institutions in the area.
He called on the people to support the free education policy and programmes of the Dickson’s administration regardless of their political differences.
Dignitaries in attendance were Mrs Victoria Gowon, Bayelsa’s First Lady, Dr Rachel Dickson; a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, retired federal permanent secretary, Amb. Godknows Igali, former Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku, Prof. John Pepper Clark, Dr Gabriel Okara, late Isaac Boro’s compatriot, Capt Sam Owonaro (Retd), King Alfred Diete Spiff and other dignitaries.
Among projects shown to journalists who were part of the tour were Osbow Lake Pavilion, Restoration Fly over at Berger Junction, Toru-Ebeli Bridge, The ongoing Cargo Airport, Bayelsa State Drug Mart, The ongoing Bayelsa State Ecumenical Centre, Bayelsa State Diagnostic Centre, Government House hospital and others.
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