Nigeria, Sept., 01, 2016 – A socio-cultural organisation, Bayelsa Elders Forum, has advised a former President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, to avoid mischief and destruction of genuine intentions of government.
The organisation, specifically regretted that while his contemporaries have attracted a lot of development to boost educational facilities and programmes in their states, Okoko, embarked on ambiguous adventure to destroy the government of Bayelsa State through mischief and propaganda.
The BEF was reacting to an interview by Okoko, pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in which he tried to run down the administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
A statement issued on Thursday evening by the President of BEF, Elder Ebi Johnson Wariowe entitled: “Prof. Kimse Okoko: Army of propaganda and hate chiefs”, and obtained by journalists said “the interview was financed to smear the image of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and his government.”
The statement reads: “The former Ijaw National Congress (INC) president did not betray his emotion to attempt to rubbish the governor as his harsh tone accentuated that assertion. We hold our peace knowing that he left a disunited INC for which he has done nothing to repair.
“As an elderstatesman we would have loved to ignore because of respect for his age the gibberish he spewed in the said interview but we have decided not to. Our reaction is mainly to correct every wrong impression he has created.
“Okoko claimed that there is no development in Bayelsa State today. This is certainly a lie! However he can be excused for that since he resides outside the state and only visit whenever he has a funeral event or in the past on Government sponsorship. The projects carried out across the length and breadth of the state by the Restoration Government speaks for themselves.
“We are happy that he acknowledged the fact that the state has a very minimal IGR. However this has slightly improved looking at the figures announced in the last Transparency Briefing (which is in fact a positive development) but we are perplexed that Okoko could shamelessly argue that the government received over 19 billion naira as overall allocation for the month of June from FAAC. The true allocation to the state for which the state government has openly and repeatedly pronounced can be viewed on the state website (Bayelsawatch) as well as the website of the Federal ministry of finance.
“The professor needs to be reminded that the present unimpressive condition of living is not only in Bayelsa but across the country due to the economic contraction for which the Federal Government has declared that the country is in deep”Recession”. The state government with its current meager resources is still working to complete her projects and pay salaries.
“As a visionary government, the Dickson led Restoration government in view of the future, constructed the flyover bridge at NNPC junction which leads to the Central Business District, already housing the Central Bank, Federal Secretariat and the three Transparency Buildings. When a state becomes an economic hub it is expected that the flow of traffic will be huge. To avoid a steady gridlock in that axis of the state capital, it was therefore a wise decision.
“On the issue of the African International University, the elder statesman did not hide his anger. Perhaps he has not followed all the explanation by the government concerning the new university. As an educationist, the professor should have known more that anyone else the importance of the university and it’s attendant positive educational and socio economic impact.
“We will join ourselves in the suit should he make good his threat of going to court. We challenge him to do so and be ready to meet us in the temple of justice.
Finally, in other states, Okoko’s contemporaries attract a lot of things to further boost educational facilities and programmes and complement their government in that regard. Sadly, in Bayelsa state, Prof. Kimse Okoko and his army of propaganda and hate chiefs are rather trying to destroy genuine and bold moves of the government. We will not allow them!.”
