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| Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2ndleft) exchanging pleasantries with one of the members of the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu Society, Prof. Robin Hurtton (right) during the Alagba Masquerade Festival OF Kalabari Kingdom in Buguma, while the former President of INC, Chief Joshua Fumodo (left) looks on. |
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| Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry (left) during the Alagba Masquerade Festival of Kalabari Kingdom in Buguma. |
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| Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) Former INC President, Chief Joshua Fumodoh (right) Mujahid Asari Dokubo (2ndright) pose with the Amayanabo of Kalabari, His Majesty, King Theophilus Princewill (2ndleft) during a courtesy call at the King’s Palace in Buguma |
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| Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Amayanabo of Kalabari, His Majesty, King Theophilus Princewill during the Alagba Masquerade Festival of Kalabari Kingdom at the King Amachree Square in Buguma. |
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| Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) Mujahid Asari Dokubo (left) and a member of the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu Society (right) performing the during the Alagba Masquerade Festival of Kalabari Kingdom at the King Amachree Square in Buguma. |
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| Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) pose with a member of the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu Society, Prof. Robin Hurtton (right) during the Alabga Masquerade Festival of Kalabari Kingdom at the King Amachree Square in Buguma. |
As part of efforts aimed at promoting the cultural heritage and
identity of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Bayelsa State Governor,
Hon. Seriake Dickson on Saturday attended the Alagba Masquerade
Festival of Kalabari Kingdom in Buguma, Rivers State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King
Theophilus Princewill, Hon. Dickson reaffirmed that the promotion of
Ijaw culture and integration of the people would remain the
centre-piece of his administration.
His words: “Part of what our government is doing in Bayelsa is to
promote and project and uphold our history, language and culture which
have come under very severe assault. So I’m happy that I have stepped
into this ancient kingdom and your Palace and I have seen
unadulterated Ijaw culture of the Kalabari people.”
He also used the occasion to emphasize that Bayelsa, being the only
homogenous state of the Ijaws, will continue to champion efforts aimed
at fostering peace and unity among the people.
To this end, the Governor urged the people of Ijaw Nation to work
together and always opt for amicable ways of settling their
differences rather than resort to acts of violence.
“Let me say as Governor of Bayelsa State that we must work together at
all times to ensure that our people have a peaceful and amicable way
of resolving whatever misunderstandings there may be.
“Let me assure you that in me and the good people of Bayelsa, you have
a partner to work for peace; to work for smooth resolution of all of
our problems; a partner for closer Ijaw integration because we have
our own ways of resolving issues. We will never in our lifetime
promote division and violence among our people.
“We cannot have a situation where Ijaw brothers are at war because
whatever there may be and whoever we are, we are all Ijaw people and
we live for one another. Whatever touches one of us, touches all of
us,” Governor Dickson declared.
Describing Kalabari as an important clan in the Ijaw Nation, the
Governor extolled the leadership qualities of King Princewill and
observed that the Kingdom has experienced appreciable development
under his reign.
Hon. Dickson was also full of praises for the Council of Chiefs and
the entire people of Kalabari for rallying round their monarch as well
as preserving their rich cultural heritage.
Responding, the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King Thoephilus
Princewill supported Governor Dickson’s position on Ijaw nationalism,
stating that his doors are always open to the Governor to discuss
issues that would promote the collective interest of the Ijaw people.
“I am very sure to say that everything that you have said has been in
good faith and it is for the good of Ijaw Nation. For that, I have my
door always open 24 hours for you,” King Princewill promised.
The Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by the one-time
President of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, added
he was in Buguma to identify with the customs and traditions of the
Kalabaris by witnessing the famous Alagba Masquerade Festival.
In his remarks, the Palace Spokesman, Hon Prince Dateme noted that the
Governor’s visit has doused the tension between the people of Bayelsa
and Rivers states especially the Kalabaris.
identity of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Bayelsa State Governor,
Hon. Seriake Dickson on Saturday attended the Alagba Masquerade
Festival of Kalabari Kingdom in Buguma, Rivers State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King
Theophilus Princewill, Hon. Dickson reaffirmed that the promotion of
Ijaw culture and integration of the people would remain the
centre-piece of his administration.
His words: “Part of what our government is doing in Bayelsa is to
promote and project and uphold our history, language and culture which
have come under very severe assault. So I’m happy that I have stepped
into this ancient kingdom and your Palace and I have seen
unadulterated Ijaw culture of the Kalabari people.”
He also used the occasion to emphasize that Bayelsa, being the only
homogenous state of the Ijaws, will continue to champion efforts aimed
at fostering peace and unity among the people.
To this end, the Governor urged the people of Ijaw Nation to work
together and always opt for amicable ways of settling their
differences rather than resort to acts of violence.
“Let me say as Governor of Bayelsa State that we must work together at
all times to ensure that our people have a peaceful and amicable way
of resolving whatever misunderstandings there may be.
“Let me assure you that in me and the good people of Bayelsa, you have
a partner to work for peace; to work for smooth resolution of all of
our problems; a partner for closer Ijaw integration because we have
our own ways of resolving issues. We will never in our lifetime
promote division and violence among our people.
“We cannot have a situation where Ijaw brothers are at war because
whatever there may be and whoever we are, we are all Ijaw people and
we live for one another. Whatever touches one of us, touches all of
us,” Governor Dickson declared.
Describing Kalabari as an important clan in the Ijaw Nation, the
Governor extolled the leadership qualities of King Princewill and
observed that the Kingdom has experienced appreciable development
under his reign.
Hon. Dickson was also full of praises for the Council of Chiefs and
the entire people of Kalabari for rallying round their monarch as well
as preserving their rich cultural heritage.
Responding, the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King Thoephilus
Princewill supported Governor Dickson’s position on Ijaw nationalism,
stating that his doors are always open to the Governor to discuss
issues that would promote the collective interest of the Ijaw people.
“I am very sure to say that everything that you have said has been in
good faith and it is for the good of Ijaw Nation. For that, I have my
door always open 24 hours for you,” King Princewill promised.
The Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by the one-time
President of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, added
he was in Buguma to identify with the customs and traditions of the
Kalabaris by witnessing the famous Alagba Masquerade Festival.
In his remarks, the Palace Spokesman, Hon Prince Dateme noted that the
Governor’s visit has doused the tension between the people of Bayelsa
and Rivers states especially the Kalabaris.
Great
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