By Nathan Nwakama
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has described Pa Jonathan Alagba, the Amananaowei of Ikibiri town in Ekpetiama Kingdom of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa as a great leader at 90.
Speaking at his birthday event in Yenagoa on Monday, Diri extolled the nonagenarian for his service to the state as a teacher and community leader.
He said that Pa Alagba brought up disciplined children that are making great contributions to the development of the state and the country at large.
He said that his administration would continue to celebrate respected fathers and elders that had positively impacted the society.
The governor urged the people of Bayelsa to emulate the nonagenarian who trained his children in a godly way.
“Pa Alagba does not look 90. It’s like he is just five years older than me.
“As a state, we should celebrate fathers and elders that brought up their children in the way they should go and they will not depart from it when they grow up.
“He brought up our son Dr Tonye Alagba very well as a teacher and that is why he and his siblings are where they are today,” Diri said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, appreciated God for blessing Pa Alagba with good health and sound mind.
He said the success of the celebrator could be seen in the life of his son Alagba, the Managing Director of NNPC Engineering & Technical Company Limited (NETCO).
The Chairman of the event, Dr Boladei Igali, eulogised Pa Alagba, saying that living up to 90 years was 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.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and his predecessor the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, congratulated the celebrator.
Responding, Pa Alagba thanked the governor and his entourage and everyone for sacrificing their time to honour and celebrate him.
He prayed to 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, and the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, aside other government functionaries.
(NAN)