The umbrella organisation of Ijaw people, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Worldwide, has declared seven days of mourning, from Monday for the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who died last Saturday.
During the period of mourning, the Ijaw nation’s flag would fly at half mast, according to INC’s President, Boma Obuoforibo, in a statement on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,
The umbrella organisation of Ijaw people also stated that with the death of the Governor-General of Izon (Ijaw) Nation (Amanieyeseigha), a great tragedy had befallen the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
The INC’s statement reads: “The Ijaw nation was thrown into grief by the death of His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, on Saturday, 10th October, 2015 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, following a cardiac arrest.
“On behalf of the INC Worldwide, we commensurate with his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, the entire Alamieyeiseigha family of Amassoma, the Ogboin Clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and the Government and People of Bayelsa State, on this great tragedy that has befallen the Ijaw Nation.
“May the gentle soul of DSP Alamieyeseigha rest in peace, in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
“In honour of this great, vocal and irrepressible Pan-Ijaw nationalist, we hereby announce seven days of mourning, beginning from Monday, 12th October, 2015. During this period, the Ijaw Nation’s flag will fly at half mast.”
The INC also indicated that the leadership of the organisation would liaise with the Alamieyeseigha’s family and the Bayelsa government, to plan a befitting burial for “our great leader and hero.”
It will be recalled that the body of the former Bayelsa governor had been deposited at the morgue of UPTH.