Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Saturday, graced the 90th birthday celebration of Pa Jonathan Alagba, the Amananaowei of Ikibiri town in Ekpetiama kingdom of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
At the event held at the Pees Hub and Event Centre in Yenagoa, Governor Diri said his administration will continue to celebrate respected fathers and elders that have positively impacted society.
The Bayelsa governor extolled the nonagenarian for service to the state as a teacher, community leader and family man who brought up disciplined children that are making great contributions to development of the state and the country.
He urged Bayelsans to emulate the celebrant for training his children on godly values.
His words: “Pa Alagba does not look 90 years. 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 as it was wise to honour and celebrate the advanced in life and in age.
Senator 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.
The minister emphasised that he could judge the success of the celebrant by what he knows about his son, who is one of the best gifts to the country’s oil industry, particularly the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.
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.
Amb. Igali, who is 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.
He 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.