Some groups organize Thanksgiving Service over the victory of APC gubernatorial candidate in Bayelsa state; accord honour and recognition to an uncommon woman philanthropist in the state, writes MIKE UBANI.
Amid the storm of protests raised by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of the recently concluded governorship election in Bayelsa, several groups in the state have expressed their gratitude to God for the conduct of a peaceful election, and the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Chef David Lyon, at the poll.
For instance, on November 30, two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Nice Esther for All Foundation (NEFAF), and Nice Esther Alamieyeseigha Rescue Initiative (NEARI), in conjunction with the Ogboin Clan Council of Chiefs,the Credible People of (APC) in Southern Ijaw Constituency1 (OgboinClan), Bayelsa state, and the Clergy, organized a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the peaceful conduct of the election, and the victory of Lyon, and his deputy Senator Biobarakumo Degi Eremienyo, at the poll.
The open airInter-Denominational Church Service which took place at the sprawling residence of Engr. Godknows Alamieyeseigha, in Ikoki-Ama, Amassoma, in Ijaw South Local Government Area, was attended by notable traditional rulers, and several dignitaries within and outside the LGA.
Speakingon the theme: “Power of Thanksgiving,” Bishop Benson Kojo Sikpi, described thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude to God, and listed some of the benefits to include release of open doors, showers of blessings, strengthening of faith, which he said eventually destroys fear and anxiety.
And apparently against the backdrop of her massive support to Lyon’s victory at the poll, as well as her uncommon humanitarian services to the less-privileged in the society, and economic empowerment of women and the youths, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, on Friday, December 6, conferred the Golden Bride of Ijaw Nation Award on Dr. (Mrs.) Nice Tobolayefa Alamieyeseigha,president and founder of NEFAF, and NEARI
The President of IYC Barrister Oweilaemi Roland Pereotubo, who presented the award to Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Nice Tobolayefa Alamieyeseigha, at the palace of the Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Clan His Royal Majesty King Oweipa Jones D. Ere 111, said IYC was proud to be associated with the life transforming activities of the awardee.
He enumerated the life-changing programmes of her Foundations to include empowerment of the physically challenged, widows, award of scholarships to indigent pupils and students; provision of housing schemes, donations to orphanage homes, granting of loans to business men and women, health outreach programmes among other human empowerment programmes.
He commended Chief Dr. Alamieyeseigha for her selfless service, sacrifice and also for using her connections abroad, resources and vantage position tolift the vulnerable from doldrums, adding that she is the first person to receive the IYC Golden Bride of Ijaw Nation Award.
The IYCpresident, who was accompanied to the occasion by several stalwarts of thegroup, appealed to well-to-do members of the society to reach out to the needy in the society. The award recipient was later inducted her into theIjaw Hall of Fame.
In her acceptance speech, the awarded, who was accompanied to the event by her husband Engr. Godknows Alamieyeseigha, expressed gratitude to God for the award especially coming from the foremost Ijaw Youth Association, saying that the group has become the voice of the ljaws in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and the global community.
She said the IYC had added another golden feather on her array of crowns, adding that the award would spur her to do more, even as she dedicated the award to the voiceless and vulnerable children cannot speak and fend for themselves.
The award recipient paid glowing tribute to late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, for blazing the trail of the Ijaw struggle for resource control and self-determination, and promised to consolidate on the legacies of the late hero to achieve set goals which she stated informed her decision to campaign vigorously for Lyon and his running mate Eremienyo, on the platform of Alamcosm, a political pressure group.
She promised further to work tirelessly alongside members of the Board of Directors of her Foundations to expand the scope of the outreach across the country, adding that her mother who placed the welfare and well-being of other children above her immediate family members, inspired her to set up the Foundations.
The NEFAF and NEARI boss also expressed gratitude to her husband, Engr. Godkows Alamieyeseigha, for his moral and financial support, just as he thanked the Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Clan, HRM King Oweipa Jones D.Ere 111, for galvanizing the Council of Chiefs to grace the award presentation..
She said that her Foundation had collaborated with NDDC, Nigerian Army Wives Officers Association, Rotary Club, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates and Koffi Anan Foundation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and over 500 religious bodies, to reach out to private-owned orphanage homes in Nigeria.
She promised to build an orphanage home in Amassoma, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for establishing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to cater for those that have become victims of unforeseen crises.
According to her, the victory of Lyon and his deputy Eremienyo at the poll was due to the philanthropic disposition of the governor-elect to the downtrodden in the society.
She identified inadequate funds as a major challenge and hindrance to the operations of her Foundations, and solicited the support of government at different levels, well-meaning individuals, corporate organizations to enable her Foundations touch more lives positively.
The award recipient assisted by her husband, presented wheel chairs, crutches, bags of rice and cash to the physically challenged, old women and promised to organize a more elaborate outreach programme in January 2020.
Some of the beneficiaries of Dr. Mrs. Alamieyeseigha’s philanthropy, especially Naser Ebimoboere, Amiekumo Godstime expressed gratitude to her for coming to their rescue, and prayed God to grant her more years of fruitful existence to continue to impact positively on the lives of the vulnerable in the society.
