Dickson preaches unity among ethnic groups

TRACKING_____Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend urged Nigerians to close ranks and promote unity in the country to move the country to the next level of development, rather than promoting divisive tendencies that could tear the nation apart.

The governor noted that it was high time Nigerians eschew ethnic bigotry and embrace unity of purpose to speed up the advancement of the country, adding that he personally led the Ijaw nation to come to receive the honour bestowed on him, because of the continued friendship that had existed between his people and people of Benue State.

He said: “I bring the message of solidarity and unity of our country that all of us need to close ranks in the nation, instead of dividing us and tearing us apart. Instead of promoting sectionalism and policies that tend to divide the people, we should emulate ITC and Benue people in general for this kind gesture.

“I am here because we, the Ijaw people, have continued to find in the Benue people, friends and brothers. The friendship we are celebrating today did not begin today, it started a long ago and we are here to take it to the next level.”

He thanked the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, for conferring the chieftaincy title on him; a development he said had further consolidated the brotherly love between the two ethnic groups.

Governor Dickson assured the people that the ITC would henceforth continue to find the Ijaw people as brothers, allies and partners.

Former Senate President, David Mark, who was chairman of the event, said the conferment of the chieftaincy title on Governor Dickson had strengthened the bond of relationship between the Ijaw and the Idoma.

“You have brought the Ijaw and Idoma nations together, I wish that we should be able to repay you, but truly, anything we do for you is not going to be anything near what the Almighty God will do for you, because you have worked for our people.”

Obekpa said earlier that the decision of the Idoma council of chiefs to honour Governor Dickson was to demonstrate their appreciation for the cordial relationship that existed between his people and Bayelsa State.