FORMER NIGERIAN HEAD OF STATE, GEN. GOWON IN BAYELSA-By Evans Tubonah

Gen Yakubu Gowon

The Bayelsa State Government had played host to a  former Military Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, who was in the state to commission a number of projects embarked upon by the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson administation.
A programme of activities lined out by the media team took the visiting former Head of State and his entourage to after landing at  the state capital, Yenagoa, in the afternoon,  proceeded to the Traditional Rulers Secretariat where he was  received by the Royal fathers. from there into  the Government House where a solidly built New Governors Office built by the Dickson  administration was commissioned at N3.3bn  on Wednesday July 12th, 2017.
The former Head of State, His Excellency,  General Yakubu Gowon accompanied by his lovely wife, Victoria Gowon, commended the Governor for embarking on such a people oriented project that touched the lives of the people of both the present and future generations of the state.
Speaking further on the laudable developmental  vision of His Excellency, the Restoration Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, the former Head of State has this to say:
"I must congratulate the governor on the structures that I have seen, especially on this new office complex. I urge you to continue to do the good work, your commitment to development, General Gowon said."
Appreciating the mammoth crowd of dignitaries for their unalloyed support, the former Head of State went on in these words:-
" To the people of the state, I must say that you have been supportive to the governor irrespective of theparty you belong. I urge you to always play the good role for the betterment of the state."
The former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon recalled the support of the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro and Chief Dapa Biriye and other well meaning people of old Rivers State, when he was the Head of state.
In his remarks, His Excellency the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Dickson thanked General Gowon for his show of love to him and the people of the state for honouring them with his presence.
Governor Dickson went on to say that, the projects commissioning is to mark the beginning of an era of excellence in every sector of the Restoration administration; especially in the most critical areas of Security, Health, Education and Infrastructural Development.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information and foremost leader of the Ijaw people, Chief E.K. Clark who gave kudos to the governor, Hon. Dickson for his achievements in infrastructural development described the new governors office as the best in the country.
Chief Clark used the medium to call on the Nigerian nation to be restructured, which according to him will give a sense of belonging to all ethnic nationalities without majority or minority considerations.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Traditional rulers council in the State, and first Military Governor of Rivers State, HRM, King A.P. Diete Spiff said Rivers and Bayelsa couldn't have been so privileged to achieve such a high level of development, but for the benevolence of General Gowon who created the old Rivers State out of which Bayelsa was created.
The high point, was a cultural display at a diiner held at the state banquet hall in honour of the august vistor, by the State Cultural troupe titled: "Oloibiri" which tells the story of the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta, the exploitation and the wealth accruing from  it and the dejection, rejection and suffering of the people of the region that ignited unrest, and graphically emphasized the need for taking good care of "Oloibiri" as a panacea for peace progress and national cohesion.
In a related development the Bayelsa State government also played host to another august visitor, in person of the literary Icon of Africa, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka who was conferred  with honorary Education Ambassador of the State.
Governor Dickson stated that the measure was in appreciates of the the Prof. for the role he's been playing across nation in propelling education, and called the attention of the Prof. not to shy away from giving support to the educational revolution of his administration, Gov. Dickson said.
The Governor and his literary giant visitors were at  Jaw National Academy Commissioned the previous day by His Excellency General Yakubu Gowon who also laid a wreath in honour Isaac Adaka Boro at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa.