The Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district, His Excellency, Seriake Dickson, has extolled the leadership qualities of former military head of state, His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon (Rted) GCFR, who was 90 years old last week.
Senator Dickson who graced the special event with former Bayelsa first lady, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Racheal Dickson, poured encomium on the former Nigerian leader, saying Dr. Gowon did a lot in building the infrastructural foundations of Nigeria.
Dickson, who was a special guest at the prayer banquet organized by the national leadership of ‘Nigeria Prays’ in honour of the 90th birthday of the elder statesman, had earlier paid a congratulatory visit, where the celebrant and his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Victoria Gowon, warmly welcomed them to their Abuja home.
In his remark at the dinner, Dickson said, “General Gowon was different; he believed in Nigerias unity and tried to do justice as best as he could. H created Rivers State and worked with our fathers and leaders, Pa Dappa Biriye, Chief Melford Okilo, Pa E. K. Clark, Chief Graham Douglas and several others, to give us in the Niger Delta a sense of belonging.
“While I was governor, at my invitation, he honored my government and the state by visiting us to commission the Ijaw National Academy, the Governor’s office building and also joined me to lay wreaths at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park that my government built to honour the sacrifices and services of our leaders past. And he pardoned Major Isaac Adaka Boro,” he added.
He further described General Gowon’s life as a testimony to what is possible with mercy and grace, adding, “At 90, our prayer is for his continued good health, so he can keep mentoring many of his children, including myself”.
Relatedly, Senator Dickson had earlier this month joined his colleagues on an oversight visit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who is a proud Bayelsan.
Thereafter he expressed his pleasure with, “The DG’s understanding and capacity and this is why I always urge our people to invest in education and self-development both at government and individual levels so when opportunities come, they can rise to the occasion.
“I am pleased to announce that Dr. Emomotimi Agama is doing well and has mine and our collective support and prayers. Once again, I thank Mr. President for entrusting him with that sensitive office, which is the premier regulatory institution for the capital market in the country,”, he added.
