Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that Comrade Ebelo Jeremiah Christian died fighting for a just and safe Rivers State which is the dream of the founding fathers of the state.
Dr. Peterside, who was also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general election in Rivers State, said this on Saturday in Ajakajak Town, Andoni at the burial ceremony of late Ebelo Jeremiah, a former chairman of the APC in Andoni LGA of Rivers State.
“Ebelo from childhood dedicated his life to community service with the aim of liberating his people from oppression, injustice, poverty and underdevelopment. This is the reason he was active in Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) and Boys Brigade of Nigeria,” Dr. Peterside stated.
He said it was unfortunate that Comrade Ebelo died in his prime without realising his vision of a developed Andoni and a Rivers State where every person has equal opportunity. He said if the state had functional healthcare system perhaps Ebelo would have been alive today.
The NIMASA boss called on the Rivers State Government to give “security, safety of people and quality healthcare the priority attention they deserve before we lose all our young people with a lot of potentials to avoidable early deaths”.
He lamented the death of Comrade Ebelo at this time and enjoined members of the APC to remain resolute in using non-violent means to bring about radical change in Rivers State.
Several dignitaries attended the burial including Senator Magnus Abe, the South-East senatorial candidate of APC in the forthcoming legislative rerun election in Rivers State.