Jonathan, Diri, Igali, Others Honor Lambert Eradiri @ 90

Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), were among the distinguished guests who joined Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to celebrate a major milestone - the 90th birthday of Sir Lambert Eradiri, one of the founding fathers of Bayelsa State.

This was revealed in a statement made available on Tuesday by Mr Doubara Atasi Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor .

Other dignitaries who were present at the well-attended event which took place on Monday at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet in Yenagoa, were the first military Governor of old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, former Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu; former Secretary to State Government, Professor Allison Edmund-Oguru; and the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

Governor Diri who spoke during the event described the celebrant as one of the greatest personalities that the Ijaw nation has ever produced while emphasising his achievements and far-reaching contributions to national development.

Diri buttressed on the need for the Ijaws to celebrate the legacies of their compatriots such as Sir Eradiri and other illustrious and daughters who had contributed their quota for the development of the state and the Ijaw nation "while they are still alive and not only when they had departed."

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended Sir Eradiri's philanthropic efforts, especially his scholarship programmes that sponsored over 200 graduates through the university system.

Governor Douye Diri was deeply impressed by the outstanding qualities of a renowned pharmacist from Agudama-Ekpetiama, and as a result, he pledged that his administration would partner with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to establish an annual lecture series in recognition of the pharmacist's remarkable contributions to the field.¹

His words: "A lot has been said about our father today. But the point that needs to be made here is that our lives are meaningful to the extent to which we make the lives of others meaningful. 

"When you go through his profile, you would discover that most of the time he had always laboured not for himself, but for the benefit of others. 

"We must always have others in our mind by contributing to those who are less privileged. Our celebrant today had sponsored 225 graduates through the university as at 2011.

"I don't think even a government scholarship can run as much as that. So we want to thank you for the contributions you have made in the education sector in our state and in Nigeria.

"I want to conclude with a charge to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to work with the Bayelsa State government to institute an annual lecture in his honour now that he is still alive and not after he had gone."

Also speaking, former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, thanked God for the life and achievements of Sir Eradiri at 90, describing him as a great man who has profound love for the Ijaw people.

Jonathan recalled that he came into close contact with the celebrant in 1995, noting that Eradiri as a bridge-builder connected all Ijaws across the various kingdoms to achieve a common goal.

He said, "Eradiri is a great man. Today we celebrate him at the age of 90. That means he has passed 90 winters, and it is not easy to get to that age. You have to be blessed to get to the age 90.

"I saw a man who is totally committed to helping our people. Eradiri could connect all the Ijaws across the various kingdoms around us. He is a man I admire so much. He meant well for our people."

On his part, the Chairman of the occasion and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, described Sir Lambert Eradiri as a living legend, who had worked very hard for those coming behind to benefit. 

Delivering the birthday lecture, Ambassador Godknows Igali, highlighted various achievements of the celebrant, stating that as a foremost pharmacist, Sir Eradiri had positively influenced the growth of the pharmacy profession in Nigeria over the years.

Amb. Igali also acknowledged the pivotal role Sir Eradiri played in the establishment of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the 1990s, and the creation of Bayelsa State from the old Rivers State by the erstwhile General Sani Abacha military administration in 1996.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Sir Lambert Eradiri 90th Birthday Organizing Committee, Dr. Alabo Ozubide, and the first son of the celebrant, Prof. Oweikumo Eradiri, thanked the Governor, his deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, friends and well wishers for celebrating Sir Eradiri in his lifetime.