Bayelsa Plans Book On Azazi, Boro, Dapa-Biriye …As Amaechi Honours The Late General

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson has disclosed plan to begin work on a book to document the life and times of late Ijaw heroes including General Owoye Azazi, Isaac Adaka Boro, Harold Dappa-Biriye, as well as other living and dead eminent sons of Ijaw.

The Governor also announced plans to immortalise late General Azazi by sponsoring an award, chair or prize dedicated to excellence in his honour in a reputable institution in the country, and directed his Deputy retired Rear Admiral John Jonah to liaise with the leadership of the Nigerian military to work out modalities to achieve the purpose.

Governor Dickson also said a befitting edifice would be named after the late General in addition to a periodic memorial lecture that would be sponsored by the state government in his honour.

Extolling the qualities of the former National Security Adviser, the Governor noted that no amount of honour bestowed on Late Azazi would be considered too great in view of his monumental contributions to the state and country in general.

Describing the deceased as quintessential Ijaw man, a patriotic Nigerian and an accomplished military leader, the State Chief Executive challenged the youths to emulate General Azazi’s sterling qualities.

Hon. Dickson, who was full of appreciation for former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Musa Yar’ Adua for the roles they played in the Late General’s illustrious career, also expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for rising above blackmail and petty propaganda to appoint Azazi as National Security Adviser at the most trying period of the country’s history.

In his tribute, President Goodluck Jonathan described General Azazi as a good Nigerian who believed in merit and competence.

The President who called for attitudinal change, stressed that if only 50 percent of Nigerians should behave like the departed hero, the country would be a better place.

According to him, most of the issues bedeviling the country have nothing to do with corruption and that his administration has been fighting against the problem through different anti-graft institutions.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika said late Azazi spearheaded the transformation of the Nigerian Army.

He said, as a colonel several years back, he and others adopted the deceased as a role model both in the service and private life.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, eulogised the former NSA as a fine officer and gentleman, lamenting his demise as a great loss to the Ijaw Nation.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia Rtd and President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, emphasised that Azazi stood for integrity, adding that, “greatness is not what you have but what you do with your greatness”.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Gorum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has named the Nkpogu Road (now under reconstruction) after late General Owoye Andrew Azazi for his numerous contributions to nation building and his sterling qualities.

Amaechi spoke at the Funeral Service, Saturday in honour of late General Owoye Andrew Azazi in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

“Looking at the numerous contributions and sterling qualities of late General Azazi to this nation, and his love towards me, whom he usually calls my younger brother, I am left with no option than to name Nkpogu road after him by Monday”.

While expressing the deep pain of the death of late General Owoye Andrew Azazi before the bereaved families and the people of Bayelsa State, Governor Amaechi said, his relationship with the late retired General had been close and private.

“Most time when I get to Lagos and Abuja, I eat in late General Azazi’s house, we have a private relationship, but now, he is gone, who will call me my younger brother, where will I eat when I visit Lagos or Abuja”, Amaechi lamented.

“He is a true detribalised Nigerian. It was my wife, Dame Judith Amaechi that first called my attention on phone that, shortly after she had left Bayelsa State, information reaching her indicates that there had been an helicopter crash, it could be the helicopter carrying late General Azazi, I called his (Azazi) line twenty (20) times to confirm the unfortunate incident, but no one answered”, Amaechi explained.

Speaking further, Governor Amaechi assured the people of Bayelsa State of his administration’s commitment to support the bereaved families whenever his attention was needed.

“If there is anything that you want me to do for you (the bereaved families), in the form of support or assistance, please, kindly call my attention”, Amaechi said.

Amaechi also thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, and the Bayelsa State Government for the befitting burial accorded to late General Owoye Andrew Azazi.

“I wish to thank President Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, and the Bayelsa State Government for the befitting burial accorded late General Azazi”, he said.

Also speaking, President Goodluck Jonathan commended the decision of Governor Amaechi to name the Nkpogu road after late General Azazi, describing it as a welcome development.

“I commend Governor Amaechi on the decision to name the Nkpogu road after late General Azazi, it is indeed a welcome development”, Jonathan said.