The First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has described the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army and Defence, Senator George Thompson Sekibo as a true man of honour and a philanthropist, “truly illustrious, humane and humble” who has used his political positions and privileges to share in the burden of the poor both in his Ogu community and Rivers State.

Dame Jonathan who made the remarks during the civic reception and conferment of chieftaincy title of Igo Alabo on Senator George Sekibo by the chiefs and people of Ogu Kingdom in Ogu Town last Saturday said Sekibo had in his quest to add value to life and affect humanity around him, successfully secured for his people projects that are endearing.

The First Lady who was represented at the occasion by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, Dr. (Mrs) Precious Gbeneol said the career progression of Sekibo especially in politics was not surprising and urged “all men everywhere to emulate the virtues of this great son of Rivers State.”

She remarked that the unprecedented crowd that graced the occasion was an attestation of the fact that the Senator had represented his people creditably, stressing that “the lesson from this is simply that we must all strive in our little capacities, to live a life of service to God and humanity.”

While urging Sekibo to reciprocate the honour done him by resolving to do more for the people, Dame Jonathan expressed delight that he had discovered the secret of making God’s blessings his lifestyle through gratitude.

Also speaking, the Senate President, Senator David Mark described Sekibo as a consummate lawmaker who had distinguished himself as one of the leading lights of the Senate, going by his incisive and thought-provoking contributions on the floor of the Senate.

Mark, represented at the occasion by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije said Sekibo had earned the respect of his colleagues by his sheer brilliance and knowledge of the law which he had often displayed when contributing to debates in the National Assembly, stressing that “he firmly uses the law as a pair of binoculars by which he addresses issues on the floor of the Senate.”

According to him, his contributions are anchored on the truth, as he does not see issues from sectional perspective but weighs their merits and demerits before making his contributions.

“All his contributions on the floor are original and thought-provoking,” he said, and urged the Senator to soar high like the Eagle (Igo) and catapult Ogu community to greater heights in the leadership of Rivers State and Nigeria because, according to him, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall O. O. Petrin described Sekibo as somebody with outstanding leadership qualities who has the mind to make things happen, noting that as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army and Defence, Sekibo had been supportive of everything the Military was doing. He said he was convinced that in any committee he (Sekibo) found himself, he would be up and doing.

The chairman of the occasion and Chairman of Okrika Divisional Council of Cheifs, Chief Wisdom Nimi Adoki in his opening remarks lauded Sekibo for his lifestyle and accomplishments, saying, Ogu people had honoured their very best, a true and worthy son.

Adoki said the conferment of the Igo Alabo title on Sekibo was not only a milestone for the Ogu Kingdom but for the Senator’s towering personality whom he noted had been making his people proud by his selfless and dedicated service to mankind, saying, the legacies he had so far left behind would be admired by all.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief E. M. Ibiorika-Kalaowi Perefi described Sekibo as a grassroots mobiliser and a friend to widows and the needy in his senatorial district and beyond, saying, the prayers of the widows, orphans and the less-privileged had accelerated his political advancement.

According to him, the Senator had through his untiring efforts attracted several developmental projects including sand reclamation to Ogu community, stressing that he was being honoured by the people because of his sound representation, doggedness and patriotic zeal.

In his sermon titled, ‘the Reward of Diligence’ during the inter-denominational thanksgiving service at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu, the Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Bishop T. R. Abere reeled out the accomplishments of Sekibo, saying, “he is a diligent servant,” who has been carrying everybody along and touching positively the lives of widows, the aged and indigent students among others.

In his response, Senator George Sekibo thanked the chiefs, the people of Ogu, security agencies, his constituents and all those who graced the occasion, saying, he was greatly humbled by the honour done him.

He also thanked Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who was represented at the occasion by the State Commissioner for Employment and Empowerment, Dr. Ipalibo Harry for all the support given to him at the critical periods of the 2011 general elections and his re-run election.

Sekibo particularly thanked security agencies for ensuring that his kidnapped wife was released, and expressed delight that the abductors of his wife had been arrested.

According to him, the kidnap and safe rescue of his wife had overshadowed his electoral victory for which reason he thanked God for His goodness to him and his family.

Donatus Ebi