Mother of the Bayelsa State Governor, late Mrs Goldcoast Dickson, has been described as an epitome of love and peace whose peace advocacy through her son has impacted positively on the state.
The Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), made the remarks when members of the Nembe Restoration Caucus led by Dr. George Allen Fente commiserated with Governor Seriake Dickson and his family at his country home in Toru-Orua.
Rear Admiral Jonah, in a press release by the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Daniel Alabrah, observed that Governor Dickson’s peace initiatives within and outside the state had endeared him to many.
He said the caucus would continually work to sustain the prevailing peace in Nembe Kingdom.
The deputy governor, who commended the initiative to build a cancer centre to immortalise Mrs Dickson, described the project as a noble one that needs the collective support of all.
According to him, the statistics of cancer cases are worrisome in the Niger Delta, particularly in Bayelsa and Rivers states, stressing that the idea of the foundation was a right step.
In his remarks, chairman of the Nembe Restoration Caucus, Dr. Fente, said Madam Dickson was a good and peaceful woman, whose love and compassion for her family and community would never be forgotten.
While noting that death is a necessary condition, Fente prayed God to grant the Dickson family the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Your mother was a good and peaceful woman. For more than six years under your Restoration Government, Nembe has experienced peace and stability. We pray that God will give you the capacity to bear the painful loss.”
Responding, the Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, thanked members of the caucus for their show of concern over the sad incident.
Governor Dickson, who also solicited support for the proposed cancer foundation, said it would be formally launched in the state in about three weeks time.
He said he was impressed by the level of response from donors and urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to support the cause.
“There is need for us to unite against cancer because it is so rampant. Seeing what it did to my mother, who had been hale and hearty, I decided to set up a cancer foundation. We need to encourage people to go for regular checks for early diagnosis,” he said.
