Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has praised Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, for his commitment to infrastructural development and building bridges of unity across the country.
Gowon commended Dickson at the official commissioning of the new Governor’s Office complex in Yenagoa, yesterday and described the edifice as “exceptionally beautiful.”
He congratulated Dickson on the successful completion of the magnificent complex, noting that, his visit to Bayelsa “has confirmed reports concerning the governor’s commitment to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors.”
Gowon also said completion of projects and promotion of the people’s well-being are the hallmarks of good governance and also, urged the governor to carry everybody along, irrespective of political affiliation.
Recounting his experiences as head of state, he acknowledged the roles of Major Isaac Boro and Chief Harold Dappa Biriye and thanked people of old Rivers State for their unflinching support to his government and the unity of the country.
In his remarks, Dickson described Gowon as a father of the nation, who has contributed tremendously to the unity and the progress of the country, during and after his reign as head of state.
Dickson, who noted that his administration has in the last five years, embarked on a silent revolution to turn around fortunes of the state, promised to do more even in the face of the prevailing economic challenges.
He said the commissioning of the edifice marks the beginning of the unveiling of the new Bayelsa, where excellence in education, health, security and other critical infrastructure would be pursued with renewed vigour.
Also, Chairman on the occasion, Chief Edwin Clark congratulated Dickson for his developmental strides, and described the new office as “the best in the country.”
The Ijaw national leader used the opportunity to restate the need for the country to be restructured to give both minority and majority groups a sense of belonging to enhance national security and development.
On his part, Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete Spiff, said the Ijaws in Bayelsa would not have witnessed the level of development, if it had not been for the benevolence of Gowon, who created the old Rivers State from which Bayelsa was carved out in 1996.
Earlier, Gowon, accompanied by his wife, Lady Victoria, had been conferred with a chieftaincy title of ‘Se Ebi Daubo’ meaning, ‘Benevolent Father of the Nation’.