Governor, Henry Seriake
Dickson of Bayelsa State has bestowed awards of excellence on two illustrious sons of the state in commemoration of the creation of the State in 1996.
The awards, which were conferred on literary icon, Dr. Gabriel Okara and renowned historian and academic, Professor Ebiegbri Alagoa, were in recognition of their contributions to the development of the state and country in general.
The event also featured the presentation of five books on the speeches of the Governor entitled: “The Return of the Great White Shark”; “The Art of Delivery”; “The Power of Delivery”; Unique Strides of Delivery and Restoration Unveiled; by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
The ceremony was held during a State Banquet in Yenagoa, where Dickson described the awardees, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa and Dr. Gabriel Okara, whose famous Poems, Piano and Drums, The Fisherman’s Invocation, The Call of River Nun, Metaphor of War and One Night at Victoria Beach, have remained a reference point among the intelligentsia in the global map of literature.
Alagoa is said to be a foremost historian and elder statesman, who spent his life researching on the Ijaw history and offering useful suggestions for the growth of the country.
The governor said they were honoured as great academics, who had made a mark in their chosen professions.
While conferring the Distinguished Icon Award on them, the Governor directed the Chief Historian and Archivist of the State, Dr. Stephen Olali, to liaise with the founding fathers of the state to document a comprehensive account of their specific contributions for posterity.
He restated that his administration would continue to acknowledge and appreciate excellence and the contributions of the founding fathers of the state, stressing that, Bayelsa State would not have been where it is today, without their sacrifices.
Dickson, therefore, urged Bayelsans to be more patriotic and support efforts of the government in transforming the state.
According to him, taking Bayelsa State to the next level is a collective responsibility of everybody, adding that his administration would continue to expand the frontiers of development, by investing in critical sectors of the economy, such as security, education, health and agriculture to promote job and wealth creation.
In his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, described Governor Dickson as a visionary leader, who is passionate about the speedy development of the state and the Ijaw nation.
He therefore called for support to enable the Dickson administration to succeed.
In their separate remarks, the recipients, Alagoa and Okara expressed gratitude to the Governor for the honour done them and prayed God to give the Governor and his team the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state.
Former Military Governor of old Rivers State and Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers’ Council, King Alfred Diete Spiff, proposed the toast to the 20th anniversary.