Yakowa Was A Bridge-builder – Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has described the late Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa as a detribalised Nigerian, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Dickson said this in his tribute at the special valedictory session of the Bayelsa Executive Council in Yenagoa on Tuesday in honour of Yakowa, who died in an air crash in Bayelsa on Saturday.

He said, “The late governor was and will remain a great Nigerian patriot, who came to Bayelsa, building bridges of love and bonds of fraternity.

“He was a dedicated and humble servant of the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.”

The governor, who described the accident that killed Yakowa, former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and others as “a hurting nightmare”, said “the day would forever remain dark in our memories forever”.

He said the nation lost two distinguished leaders and dedicated military officers in the ill-fated crash, adding that Yakowa died in active service while visiting Bayelsa as a friend of the state.

Dickson said, “Bayelsa has lost a great friend and I, personally, have lost an elder brother,” he said.

The governor, who was accompanied to the special session by his wife, Rachael, assured Yakowa’s widow, Amina, that the government and people of Bayelsa would remain close to her.