Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has extolled the virtues of the Late Senator Medford Okilo, saying he remains one of the greatest minds to have come out of the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta region.
He said the Late Okilo, who was the first civilian governor of old Rivers State, started early and made himself available for service, adding that he was an inspiration to many, including him.
Jonathan, who spoke at the 16th memorial anniversary of the late sage held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, stated that Okilo was also his political mentor.
Jonathan, who was represented by a former Nigerian Ambassador of the Scandinavian countries, Dr. Bolade Igali, said Okilo believed so much in hard work and excelled in everything he focused on.
He said: "The Late Melford Okilo was a very humble man. He was my political mentor and was an inspiration to all of us. He started in a very humble way, making himself available at a very young age for service.
"All the offices Okilo occupied, he was very outstanding. He believed so much in hard work and excelled in everything he did. He was a lover of education and never at any time allowed his position to distract him or make him lose focus. "
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said Okilo set the foundation that successive civilian governors have built on, noting that he was a visionary and an embodiment of peace.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, the governor noted that the state was very delighted to be part of the event because of who Okilo was and the principles he lived and died for.
Also speaking, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said Okilo lives on, and his legacies will continue to impact generations yet unborn.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Rufus Ada-George, in his remarks, lauded Okilo for his political sagacity, noting that the former Bayelsa East Senator built strong political structures that are still standing.
In their separate remarks, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, his Opobo counterpart, King Dandison Douglas Jaja, and former First Lady, Patience Jonathan who was also represented, all showered encomium on Okilo for standing for his people when it mattered most.
The keynote speaker, Prof Atuboyedia Obianeme, narrated the many battles Okilo fought in his quest for survival and how he became famous in politics.
According to him, Okilo never allowed the environment and family he was born into to affect him as early in life, he engaged in farming and fishing, which earned him the nickname "fisherman".
"He left his rural community in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, to take on bigger challenges. He wanted a better life for his people and fought so hard for it", he said.
Highpoint of the event was the official launch of the Okilo Endowment Fund and some display of rich cultural ijaw traditional dances.
Melford Obiene Okilo who was the first elected civilian Governor of the old Rivers state was born on the 30th of November, 1933 in Emakalakala, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and died on July 5, 2008, at the age of 74.
