What Pa Owonaro Told Me Before He Departed - Gov. Diri

...Renames Ijaw National Academy After '12-Day Revolution' Hero 


Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the weekend, recounted his encounter with the late Captain Samuel Timinipre Owonaro (Rtd) before the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta hero passed on in June this year.


Chief Owonaro is fondly remembered for his heroic role in the '12-day Revolution' alongside two other late Ijaw icons, Major Isaac Boro and Nottingham Dick, when they declared the Niger Delta Republic on February 23, 1966.



Pouring encomiums on the Kaiama-born freedom fighter during his funeral at his hometown, Governor Diri narrated how Capt. Owonaro expressed joy when he visited him after he was sworn in that he lived to see the creation of Bayelsa, a homogenous Ijaw state.


He said he was also happy that a Kolokuma/Opokuma son became governor in his lifetime and that his agitation with the late Boro was therefore not in vain.


The governor announced the renaming of the Ijaw National Academy after the late Owonaro.


A statement by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. DanielAlabrah,  quoted the governor as saying: “Immediately after my inauguration (as governor), the late Captain Owonaro was one of the first persons I visited. During that visit, he told me that you came here with the convoy of a governor, I’m satisfied.


“Today, I have seen a governor from my own extraction of Kolokuma/Opokuma. Now I can go back satisfied with what I have seen to tell my compatriots, in particular Isaac Boro, that our struggle was not in vain. 


“That I have seen a Bayelsa State created; I have seen a son of Kolokuma/Opokuma as governor.


"May I publicly acknowledge the former governor of Bayelsa, Chief Seriake Dickson, who God used to produce a son of Kolokuma/ Opokuma as governor of this state.” 


Senator Diri described the deceased as one who led an impactful life and left the legacy of a role model to the younger generation. 


He stated that a way to immortalise Owonaro is by ascribing a state edifice as a monument in his name. 


“As a young man, part of how the imprint of late Isaac Adaka Boro impacted on me and very many of us in the old Rivers State is the Adaka Boro Park named after our Ijaw hero. 


“And so, today, may I also pronounce that the Ijaw National Academy henceforth be named as Captain Sam Owonaro Academy. In the same vein, I hereby direct the Commissioner for Works and other relevant commissioners to look out for a street worthy to be named after Nottingham Dick, one of the three heroes.” 


The governor stressed that Owonaro over the years had affected the lives of not only the people of Kolokuma but the entire Ijaw nation and Nigeria as well.  


Also speaking, former governor of the state, Chief Seriake Dickson, thanked God for raising young and fearless men like Isaac Boro and Captain Owonaro, both from Bayelsa, at a time the nation ignored the plight of the minorities and when people glossed over the cracks in the country that were not fully resolved before independence. 


In his remarks, a former president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Joshua Fumudoh, said the Ijaws will forever remember Owonaro, who, according to him, was the 'Last-Man-Standing' and for keeping the memories of other freedom fighters alive before his death. 


Chief Fumudoh called on the younger generation, especially the Ijaw youths, to learn from the contributions of their senior compatriots and be determined to contribute their quota to betterment of the Ijaw nation. 


The only surviving son of the late Ijaw icon, Mr. Lloyd Owonaro, in his remarks, thanked Governor Diri and the state government for immortalising his father and expressed the optimism that the struggle his father lived for would last forever.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Education Remains a Top Priority of Our Policy Thrust: Gov. Fubara

Image
The Rivers State Government says it will continue to place education as one of the top most priorities of its policy thrust. Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday 24th February, 2024. The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, said although the University of Port Harcourt is a Federal University the State Government would continue to support and collaborate with it to place it in a path that  would be the envy of other institutions. “We shall support you because whenever we add value to this institution, you add double value to whatever we have placed before you and we shall continue to ensure that you are given a place of high distinction and excellence”, the Governor stressed. Governor Fubara disclosed that his administration was desirous to create the enabling environment to ensure Rivers State remains a preferred destination to achieve quality education in the count...
Read more

Governor Mutfwang Crowns New Ngolong Ngas, HRH Nde Jika Golit

Image
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has performed the coronation of the New Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit. The ceremony is coming nine years after the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong. Governor Mutfwang, who performed the presentation of staff of office and certificate to the New Ngolong Ngas at the Pankshin Township Stadium, praised the Ngas Nation for a rancor-free selection process of the new Ngolong Ngas. He warned mischief makers against needless court actions that are capable of delaying or frustrating the selection and installation of traditional rulers in the state. He also implored citizens to alway accept the will of God in all circumstances. "I congratulate the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. His selection by the kingmakers, through a peaceful and rancor-free atmosphere, is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the state." the Governor stated. "Let me s...
Read more

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED MEETING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

Image
The PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of H.E. Governor Bala A. Mohammed, CON, held an enlarged meeting at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Rising from the consultative meeting of the various organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party resolved as follows: 1. The National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting originally slated for October 24, 2024, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024. 2. The postponement is to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections of November 16, 2024 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the floundering All Progressive Congress, APC government in the state. 3. Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory...
Read more