TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND, BROTHER AND QUINTESSENTIAL MAN OF THE PEOPLE
Fate brought us together; experience made us friends and death has now temporarily separated us. Though it seemed farfetched, I had hoped that we would both have lived as friends into our hoary years with great grandchildren running around us. I never envisioned doing this at this time, but here I am, paying tribute to my Boss and true friend, the Governor General of Ijaw Nation and the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha. But who am I to question God, the author and finisher of all things.
I am still in shock and lost for words, at your passage, even as I put down these words. We spoke only a few days to your demise when you called from Dubai and reflected over varying views and vicissitudes of life.
You told me that you may not have been perfect in your service to your Ijaw Nation you greatly cherished, but that whatever, that you would rather die on Ijaw soil. How true your words! Your passage will ever be like a sore on the palm; very difficult to heal.
Today your body lies silent in the tomb you built. Today your body returns to Amassoma, the land of your birth. Today your body lies buried in Ijaw land. A land and people you stood up for. Though you may have wished for more years on earth, but you go home today, a fulfilled man, who came, saw, and conquered many odds. Your wish for longer life denied that God’s will be done in your life. Your time is up; the bell has tolled and home to God, you return. May we learn from your life and your experiences; build on them, that Ijaw land, Nigeria and the world will be a better place for mankind.
To say I will miss you, your friendship and your brotherly love will be making an understatement. My wife, children and associates are still in shock. What we owe you today, is prayers to God for a peaceful repose of your soul; while the friendship bonding our two families will remain intact.
You were a greatly misunderstood man, but beneath your military inspired mien, lay a heart of gold, kindness and extreme generosity. It is my opinion you were one more sinned against, than you ever sinned against your fellow men. The media painted a macabre picture of you that was an exact opposite of the man I knew. You spoke the truth, when every other person wanted to hear untruth. You believed in and cherished honest friendship. Your unalloyed friendship and loyalty often landed you in hot soup; a ready and easy recall is the one that led to your impeachment – an unfriendly and unfair cut, for which you forgave the perpetrators before your heavenly call. You were ready to pay the ultimate price for the emancipation of your people and development of Ijaw land – a land which for you, stretched beyond Bayelsa State, to the coastlines of Ondo and Cross River States. May your labour of love and fight for the emancipation of your people, never be in vain.
As a sitting governor, you gave assistance, financial and otherwise, to even total strangers. I recall your assistance to a sick, elderly woman you met on board a flight to New York, together with her husband. I was with you. You paid her hospital bill and looked out for her and her family on their return to Abia, their home State. You easily, on sound advice, reinstated wrongfully disengaged subordinates. Your goodness to fellow men was enormous. May God have mercy on your soul and count your selfless acts of benevolence in your favour.
My friend, boss, and brother, your earthly sojourn is over, but the experience of your friendship will last my lifetime. Sleep on Alamco, Olotu and Governor General of Ijaw nation. Goodnight, till we meet at the feet of Jesus Christ, to part no more.
Senator Ehigie Uzamere
Senator Uzamere tribute to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
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