Niger Delta: Dickson cautions FG against military option, says the region needs attention
Ijaw leaders on Monday reiterated their call on Federal Government to completely jettison its military option towards addressing the Niger Delta crisis, saying the move would not yield the desired positive result.
This was the central message of goodwill speeches delivered at the first memorial lecture held in honour of the late former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha at his hometown, Amassoma, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters of the departed Ijaw hero, Governor Seriake Dickson urged the Federal Government to intensify its efforts at developing the Niger Niger Delta by tackling peculiar needs of the people, especially in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare delivery and education.
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Represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Retd), the Governor, who described late Alamieyeseigha as a bridge builder and passionate crusader of Ijaw national interest, challenged Ijaw sons and daughters to see his departure as a rallying point to forge a united front to demand for equity and fairness.
He acknowledged some of the achievements of the late former Governor, including the establishment of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, which he noted, had contributed in no small measure towards boosting the growth of education and human capacity development in the state.
Governor Dickson expressed gratitude to all, who attended the event from within and outside the state, the chiefs and people of Amassoma and particularly the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council for its offer to backroll the Alamieyeseigha Memorial activities next year.
Other speakers, including the President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, elderstatesman and politician, Chief Thompson Okorotie, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Council Area, Mr Joshua McCaiver, and an opinion leader in Amassoma Community, Mr Eric Avi all stressed the need for the Federal Government to attach seriousness to the ongoing calls for dialogue.
