His Excellency Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali Ph.D, like every other humans, has a fair share of human flaws and weaknesses, but I can make bold to say anywhere that he is indeed a very exceptional illustrious son of the Ijaw Nation and the geographic Niger Delta region in general.
He is one of the fewest leaders that weep and even cry when he sees Ijaw people that are suffering especially when they do not have food to eat.
I have encountered him on few occasions at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and I witnessed how he had to empty himself just to put smiles on the faces of our youths who went to him for food and transport.
Having laid the above foundation, I wish to use this rare opportunity to thank and also celebrate him for the role he played to actualize the historic visit of Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON to Bayelsa State.
This commendation and appreciation is very important because Dangote used his own mouth to talk about his over 30years old relationship with Amb. Igali that has transformed from friendship to family ties.
While it is easy to make friendship, it takes extra effort to nurture and also build a lasting relationship that is more valuable than monetary wealth. Again, it takes a great mind to sustain such relationship with the Richest Man in Africa.
Instead of withholding and possibly hiding his relationship with Dangote, as a patriotic son of the Ijaw Nation, he decided to work on how the above can add extraordinary value to Bayelsa State that is the Jerusalem and Home of all Ijaws all over the world.
By the special grace of God, the visit of Alhaji Aliko Dangote shall usher in a New Dawn in the state.
We thank His Excellency, Very Distinguished Senator Douye Diri, our God-sent Governor, for running an all inclusive government that accommodates all Bayelsans with good ideas that will help to develop our great state.
We commend the great determination of His Excellency towards the Industrialization of the state.
Finally, I urge and also humbly appeal to all sons and daughters of Bayelsa State and other residents to continue to give our God-sent Governor the needed support to move the state forward.
– Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Technical Adviser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State on Media and Public Affairs