Diri, Ibori, others hail Alamieyeseigha as symbol of Niger Delta struggle

…Say His Legacy Embodies Federalism, Justice, and Resource Control

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

Prominent Niger Delta leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and erstwhile Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, person described the precocious Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha arsenic a awesome of the region’s enduring conflict for existent federalism, assets control, justice, and biology rights.

They spoke connected Friday astatine the 10th Memorial Anniversary of the precocious Bayelsa leader, held successful Yenagoa, themed “The Niger Delta Voice Through Nigeria’s Soul: Federalism, Resource Control and the Contemporary Nigerian State successful the DSP Alamieyeseigha Legacies.”

Governor Diri, successful his remarks, said Nigeria’s advancement depends connected operating a genuine national strategy that allows sub-national governments autonomy implicit their resources and development. He described the existing structure—where the cardinal authorities controls resources from federating units—as an aberration that perpetuates inequality.

“If we privation this state to determination forward, sub-national governments should not beryllium controlled from the centre,” Diri said. “You cannot usage the resources from 1 portion to make much section authorities areas successful different portion to provender that portion portion starving the country wherever those resources travel from. That is not federalism.”

The politician faulted the Land Use Act, saying it deprived Niger Delta communities of their earthy wealth, and urged the Federal Government to close the imbalance.

Diri noted that Alamieyeseigha’s advocacy for assets control, justice, and biology rights was not simply an Ijaw oregon Niger Delta docket but a nationalist imaginativeness for equity and development. He called for unity among Niger Delta leaders, informing against allowing enactment authorities and idiosyncratic interests to derail their communal struggle.

“We person elevated enactment authorities supra our unity,” helium said. “That is portion of the authorities of lipid and state designed to support america divided.”

In his tribute, erstwhile Delta politician Chief James Ibori described Alamieyeseigha arsenic a fearless advocator who stood for the rights of his radical adjacent successful the look of authorities persecution.

“Like Martin Luther King, the ‘bullet’ that took Alamieyeseigha was fabricated and delivered by the Nigerian state,” Ibori declared. “But what helium stood for—justice and fairness—continues to unrecorded on.”

He praised Governor Diri for preserving Alamieyeseigha’s legacies done the yearly memorial, which helium said reinforces the ideals the precocious “Ijaw Governor-General” championed.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Ibaba S. Ibaba, highlighted that Alamieyeseigha’s emergence arsenic Bayelsa’s archetypal civilian politician marked a turning constituent successful the Ijaw and Niger Delta conflict for justness and equity.

He said the precocious leader’s medication helped presumption Bayelsa and the Niger Delta firmly wrong Nigeria’s nationalist discourse, giving dependable to issues of underdevelopment, biology degradation, and marginalization.

“For Alamieyeseigha, federalism was lone meaningful if it guaranteed power implicit resources for development, dignity, and survival,” Ibaba noted.

The lawsuit featured a sheet league moderated by writer Dr. Reuben Abati, with contributions from biology rights advocator Annkio Briggs, Ijaw activistic Elder Timi Ogoriba, and erstwhile Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Steve Azaiki.

Dignitaries astatine the memorial included the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; contiguous past Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); woman of the precocious governor, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha; PANDEF National Chairman, Amb. Boladei Igali; and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

Others contiguous were the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; apical authorities officials, and assemblage leaders from crossed the region.

The station Diri, Ibori, others hail Alamieyeseigha arsenic awesome of Niger Delta struggle appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.