Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the people of the Niger Delta region to draw inspiration from the selfless service of the first civilian governor of old Rivers State, late Senator Melford Okilo.
Okilo, who hails from the present-day Bayelsa State, governed old Rivers State between 1979 and 1983.
Jonathan spoke yesterday at an event at the 16th memorial service of the former governor in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The event was attended by the first military Governor of old Rivers State and traditional ruler of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and several other dignitaries.
The former President, who was represented by Nigeria‘s former Ambassador to Scandinavian countries,
Dr Goodkows Igali said the late Okilo made himself available for political office at the very young age of 25.
He urged political officeholders to see their position as a call for service, not oppression.
Also speaking, the former governor of old Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada-George, worked for the peace and unity of the people of the Niger Delta region.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Dr. Kennedy West, Chairman of the organising committee, described the late Okilo as a visionary leader and a man of selfless service.
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