IPA & Bayelsa State Delegation Meeting of March 2003

By

Abiye Hector Goma

I have read this group mail and wonder whether to laugh or cry. An eleven-person delegation of Bayelsa State government (including two wives of government officers) came into the UK to prove beyond reasonable doubt that His Excellency, the first governor of Bayelsa State has done well and should be thanked for his selfless service to his people.

Briefly, I am from Ogoloma in WALGA, Rivers State. My interest in Bayelsa State is historical. My ancestors migrated originally from Ekpetiama or one of the clans of the Ijaw kingdom, I read years ago. My last visit to Nigeria was in March 1999 and I have no clue about what goes on at home. My political ‘anhedonia’ is worrying. In her late seventies, my mother, who since the end of the Nigerian Civil War would never spend more than two days away from her mud house in the village, recently spent eight weeks in Port Harcourt. No thanks to a rampaging militia in the village. In another development, I heard that my colleague's father, Marshall Harrison was assassinated. These two examples suggest that violent politicking must have reached an all time high prior to the recent elections. That reminds me, I recently read an interim report on these pages from Environmental Rights Action (ERA) to support my inference.

Back to the discourse, if I were Governor Alamieyeseigha, I would send two return tickets to the IPA and ask for a delegation to come and assess progress in the State, perhaps joined by reputable local community/voluntary sector organisations such as ERA and Niger Delta Wetland Centre. After their tour, I will encourage them to brief the press before asking them to return to UK and challenge all Ijaw citizens and fellow Nigerians to make concerted efforts to invest in their communities.

What are we doing individually and collectively to walk the talk? I challenge all Ijaw sons and daughters to say ‘No’ to a few burgers and chips and put something back in our communities. How about sponsoring a child from your village, not related to you by blood or marriage through at last 11years of formal education? For shorter commitments, you can sponsor a young school leaver through vocational education or as a group provide interest-free loans, particularly to women to set up small-scale businesses.

Finally, I will always remember one Ijaw man: Dima Denni-Fiberesima. He served two military governors, yet he was honest. In life, in death, in life everlasting, his honesty is without question. As the wise Solomon said, "Truth stands the test of time but lies are soon exposed." (Proverbs 12:19). To send eleven disciples abroad with taxpayers’ money (or oil revenue) to defend a government … mmm.... e get as e be.

May God bless our motherland.

Abiye Hector-Goma
Leeds, UK.

Interest: (No political interest. My sister-in-law is a PDP politician and served in this government).

“But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)

April 2003