Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, have paid tributes to Pa Jonathan Alagba, the Amananaowei of Ikibiri town in Ekpetiama kingdom of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amb. Boladei Igali and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo was also among other prominent persons that paid tributes to the monarch, who marked his 90th birthday.
Speaking at the birthday event that was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital, Diri said his administration would continue to celebrate respected fathers and elders that had positively impacted the society.
The governor extolled the nonagenarian for service to the state as a teacher, community leader and family man saying he brought up disciplined children that were making great contributions to the development of the state and the country.
He urged the people of Bayelsa to emulate the celebrant for training his children on godly values.
Diri said: “Pa Alagba does not look 90 years old. It is like he is just five years my elder brother.
“As a state, we should celebrate our fathers and elders that brought up their children in the way that they should go and will not depart from it when they grow up.
“For instance, you brought up your son, Tonye, very well as a teacher and that is why he and his siblings are where they are today.
“I use this opportunity to call on all Bayelsans, particularly our mothers and fathers, to emulate this family. When you give birth to children, please do not abandon them. Train them up and give birth to the number of children you can train.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described Pa Alagba’s celebration as important to him saying it was wise to honour and celebrate those that had advanced in life and in age.
Lokpobiri appreciated God for blessing the celebrant with good health and sound mind, and particularly acknowledged that the record of the monarch’s son in the oil industry was a testament to his father’s great attributes.
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The minister emphasised that he could judge the success of the celebrant by what he knew about his son, Dr. Tonye Alagba, the Managing Director of NNPC Engineering & Technical Company Limited (NETCO), whom he described as the best gift to the country’s oil industry, particularly the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In his remarks, Chairman of the event, Dr. Boladei Igali, eulogised Pa Alagba, noting that to live up to 90 years translated to being a perfect gift from God.
Igali, who is the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), wished the monarch a long reign on the throne and described his children as a pride to the state.
In separate goodwill messages, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and his predecessor and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, congratulated the celebrant on attaining the milestone age, which according them was no mean feat.
Responding, the celebrant, Pa Alagba, thanked Governor Diri, his entourage and everyone that attended the event for sacrificing their time to honour and celebrate him and prayed God to honour all of them with long life and good health.
The governor was accompanied to the event by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, her Environment and Youth Development counterparts, Hon. Ben Ololo and Alfred Kemepado, General Manager of the state Housing and Property Development Authority, Hon. Tonye Isenah as well as other top government functionaries.
