• Ogbia youths hold rally for gov

Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has declared that he will continue to thank and serve God because of His kindness and mercies upon him and his family.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service to mark his 52nd birthday, Dickson said it was in appreciation of God’s favour on him and his family that he had committed himself to the service of man, adding that he who ‘serves man well, serves God well’.
He said: “When we devote our time as individuals and as a state to thank God, we are doing the right thing. Our lives are in the hand of God and the more we appreciate this, the more He showers His blessings and protections on us as a people and as a state. Every success we have achieved in this state has the finger of God and we put so much energy and effort putting on ground all the programmes, infrastructure and the peace you enjoy today because I believe he who serves God well, serves man well.”
A statement signed by his spokesman, Francis Agbo, said Dickson would round off the birthday anniversary today with his customary visit to the orphanage in Yenagoa, where he will donate food items and interact with the children.
The church service was attended by Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson; Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri; former deputy governor of the state, Chief Peremabowei Ebebi; Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Kemela Okara, members of the state executive council, top government functionaries, the clergy and monarchs.
Meanwhile, about 10,000 youths from the Oloibiri, Anyama and Emeyal clans comprising of 48 communities in Ogbia Local Government Area at the weekend held a solidarity rally in support of Governor Seriake Dickson.
The youths, including youth organisations from the 13 wards in Ogbia, former President Goodluck Jonathan local government defied an attempt by the council to stop the rally using thugs, gathered at the Ogbia Brotherhood Hall to pass a vote of confidence in Dickson, for his steadfast support for Jonathan when he was president and for his administration’s developmental agenda in Ogbia, especially the release of N1 billion for projects in the local government area.
The organiser of the rally, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Affairs in Ogbia, Osanya Osanya, said the solidarity rally is also an opportunity to thank Dickson for appointing their sons and daughters into key positions.
He assured Dickson that the youths of the area will continue to support his administration and play their part to bring an end to all forms of crime and criminality, stressing that only an atmosphere of peace will attract meaningful development.
Osanya therefore urged the youths to shun kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other vices but rather, prepare to embrace opportunities offered through the various empowerment schemes the Dickson administration is set to introduce.
Secretary to the State Government, Kemela Okara, lauded the youths for organising themselves in such a peaceful manner and for coming out to show solidarity and support for the governor, adding that the restoration government will do more for them.
In their goodwill messages, Commissioner for Special Projects, Fred Obua and that of Chieftaincy and Community Development, Saviour Ibegi, urged the youths not to be distracted as they are the future of Ogbia kingdom and gave them kudos for organising the 10,000 mega unity rally.
On his part, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Danie l Iworiso-Markson expressed delight at the way and manner they conducted themselves, noting that the unity of Ogbia people is not negotiable and their support for Dickson will remain unshakable.