Late Chief Melford Obiene Okilo was eulogised for his true nationalistic attributes while he was still alive at the 15th Memorial Lecture held in his honour recently.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State described the late first civilian governor of Old Rivers State, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo, as a true nationalist.
“I’m delighted to be personally here in this 15th memorial celebration of our dear leader, a nationalist, a father and a Sage.
Chief Okilo was beyond Ogbia and Bayelsa State, but he was a nationalist. Therefore, he should be celebrated as one who was part of the people who worked for the creation of the Old Rivers State, and subsequently, Bayelsa State.
The likes of Chief Okilo struggled and abandoned their own comfort for the rest of us, and that is why today, we can call ourselves Governors, Senators, House of Assembly members, and anything that we can call ourselves today.
Subsequently, I hereby direct that the Chief Melford Okilo memorial will be taken over by the Bayelsa State Government. We shall not trivialise the immortalization of our leader to a Clan, and we all know, Chief Okilo belongs to all the clans in Ijaw.
Chief Melford Okilo was one who exudes love for his people. He worked and suffered for his people, and fought against injustice.
Let us as a people and as leaders, always do things that will unite our people, and not to divide us, and things that our people will remember you for even after you have left. Today, we are talking about Chief Melford Okilo because of things that he has done, and not the amount of money that he left in his bank account.
Today, we are gathered here because we remember that Chief Okilo added value to our lives”, Governor Diri stated.
Dignitaries at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, venue of the memorial include immediate past Deputy Governor, Rtd. Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, former Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Senator Foster Ogola, Senator Barigha Nimi-Amange, political associates and family members.
Lectures delivered are as follows:
- Lecture 1: Melford Okilo: The Legacy of a National Pathfinder by Keynote Speaker: Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali,
Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Technology, Akure. - Lecture 2: Melford Obiene Okilo’s Vision on Unity and Good Governance in Nigeria: Lessons for the Niger Delta Region by Prof Ambily Etekpe, Professor of Political science, Niger Delta University.
- Lecture 3: Grassroot Development: A Legacy of His Excellency, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo by Dr. Steven Olali, State Historian and Archivist.
Other activities lined up for the 15th commemoration which will be held on Wednesday 5th July 2023 will include a Memorial Service and Wreath Laying @ Emakalakala Town, Ogbia LGA Bayelsa State.
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