Governor Senator Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has responded to the passing of Prof Christopher Dime, the pioneering president of the Ijaw National Council (INC) and a key figure in the Ijaw struggle.
It is noted that the late Ijaw nationalist played a pivotal role as a founding member of the INC and served as its inaugural president from 1992 to 1994, predating the establishment of Bayelsa State by two years.
Addressing attendees at the service of songs and lecture/night of tribute held in honor of the late Ijaw activist, Governor Diri lauded Prof Dime for bringing an intellectual perspective to the Ijaw cause. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, the governor called upon the Ijaw community to uphold the values of humility and dedicated service exemplified by the pioneers of the Ijaw struggle.
He said: “We have come to first celebrate Prof Christopher Dime, to the family, he was the first husband, a father, to the Ijaw nation, a man who struggled to emancipate our people. He brought an intellectual dimension to the Ijaw struggle.
“There is something unique since I came in; I have been reading the tributes, and there is something unique about the man, his humility and sacrifice to his people.
“If you look at what is happening from tomorrow to the weekend, we are celebrating two great men of Ijaw land, Isaac Adaka Boro and Prof Dime, who will finally be laid to rest over the weekend, and these are people who brought a different dimension to the struggle we are in.
“But for everything that has a beginning, it must surely have an end, and Dime has done his part.
“We must reinvigorate our character of humility and our service to humanity. These are two things we have learnt from the lives of Dime.”
In his tribute, the President of Ijaw National Council (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaka, described the late Ijaw leader as humble, fearless and tireless champion and a lover and crusader of the Ijaw cause.
He stated that the late Prof Dime fought a good fight to unite and liberate the Ijaw nation, describing his service to his people as selfless and sacrificial in the struggle for emancipation of his ppeople,who have suffered long years of neglect and deprivation, inspite of being the ‘goose that laid the golden egg’.
The remains of Prof Dime will be buried on Saturday at his country home in Iboro village in Olodiama clan, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
