Governor Seriake Dickson

Pursuant to the powers conferred on him by the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law as amended, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has created, recognised and upgraded the following chieftaincy stools to First Class Status, with immediate effect. They are:

1. Pere of Iduwini Clan

2. Pere of Kou

3. Ebenanaowei of Kolu-Ama Clan

4. Ebedaowei of Boza Kingdom

5. Amanyanabo of Odioma

6. Pere of Gbaraun Kingdom

7. Ebenanaowei of Apoi Clan

8. Obanobhan of Okoroma

A Government statement signed by the Secretary to Government, Pastor (Barr) Kemela Okara said, the creation, recognition and upgrade of the kingdoms/clans into First Class status were done after a painstaking examination of the culture and history of clans in the state, with a view to addressing cases of inequity, imbalances and marginalization of some clans and kingdoms in the past.

The statement said, before the creation of the above First Class Stools, the Government identified the original clans across the state and ascertained those clans, which were not recognised because they didn’t have prominent people in the corridors of power.

According to the statement, it was against this background that, the Government believes this latest exercise of creating First Class Chiefs will address the perceived imbalance in the traditional institution of Bayelsa State and further protect the sanctity of the institution.

In carrying out the exercise, the Governor said his government did not dismember any existing First Class Chieftaincy Stool and did not also split any.

He, however, advised those, who have more inputs on the history of clans and kingdoms in the state to forward same to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Development.

‘‘The Governor as a lover of culture and tradition has made the propagation of Ijaw history, culture and tradition a cardinal policy of Government. The establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs was meant to deepen this policy and it has in the last six years of the Restoration Government discharged this responsibility.

The Government has always recognised the history of the people of the state exactly as it is and has at all times, rejected the temptation to politicise chieftaincy matters.

The Governor, therefore, reminded Bayelsans that, his Government’s policy of respecting the sanctity of Chieftaincy Matters remains sacrosanct.

He, therefore, called on the people of the state to always preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution and give maximum cooperation to all Traditional Rulers, including the new First Class Chiefs.’’

A date for the presentation of STAFF of OFFICE to the new Chiefs will be announced later.