COMMUNITY REPORT
‘Dime Was An Impactful Man’ – Otuaro Pays Tribute To First INC President
By Bulou Kosin
Immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro says Late Emeritus Professor and first President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Christopher A. Dime, buried weekend at his hometown, Iboro, Edo State, “was an impactful man”.
Dime, who died at 97 years, was the Amaokosuwei (oldest man) of Iboro, Olodiama Kingdom, in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State.
His burial drew to Iboro town the current President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the first President of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, a team of Bayelsa State Founding Fathers, and representatives of various groups who filed past and paid last respects to the open corpse of Rev. Emeritus Prof. C. A. Dime in a coffin dressed in Ijaw national insignia and colours.
Earlier on Friday morning, Dime’s corpse lay in state at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for 3 hours as testament of the Ijaw national leader he was, before he was freighted by road past Delta State to his Iboro hometown in Edo State in the evening.
His homeward journey effectively began May 15, 2024 with a Service of Songs and night of tributes at same Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
The Amakosuwei was given traditional wake-keep Friday night at Iboro amidst cultural displays with the IYC led by its Deputy President, Comrade Freedom Atigbi putting up strong presence and Ogele (processional) dance/tributes, ahead of the Saturday, May 18, 2024 interment.
A post-interment Thanksgiving Service/Reception for guests immediately held at the Iboro Primary School grounds, with music supplied by Barrister S. Smooth.
Otuaro, sent in via WhatsApp his tribute on Prof. Dime, just before the remains of the revered Ijaw and Niger Delta leader was lowered to mother earth.
Otuaro, a lawyer, expressed fond memories of how Dime “contributed to my career path in law” even as he noted that “Rev. Emeritus Prof. Dime, frontline Ijaw leader was committed to the advancement of the Ijaw nation, to the service of God and the upliftment of humanity.
His contributions to the creation of Bayelsa State and foundation he laid for the yet unrealised Toru-ebe and Oil-Rivers States for the Ijaw people, are well documented”. Otuaro, while expressing his condolences to the family and the Ijaw nation prayed for God’s guidance.
Otuaro who came into Nigeria while Prof. Dime’s burial kicked-off in Edo State was given a blow by blow account of the burial proceedings by a team largely made of alumni of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, that he mobilised to the burial at Iboro. The team included Elder Taupade Akemotubo, Messrs Vincent Ubebe and Bulou Kosin, Pst (Mrs) Beauty Fun-arere Karuna-Oweifie, Engr. Peter Wonighan, Mr. David Igbegi amongst others.
Sowore Blasts Adeleke Over Tinubu Visit Amid Osun Violence
Tinubu Receives Re-Elected Adeleke at Aso Rock, First Meeting Since Osun Victory
Oil Resumption: MOSOP Assures Ogoni People of a Good Deal, Announces Minor Cabinet Changes
Tinubu Assigns Famadewa to Lead Service Chiefs, Ribadu for 5-Year National Security Threat Assessment, Defence Strategy Development
2027: Extend Your Love For Me To President Tinubu, Oborevwori Tells Religious Leaders
Oborevwori Sets to Inaugurate Perm Secretaries Quarters Today
Omo-Agege Warns Delta Gov: You’ll be Held Responsible If My Family or I Come Under Attack as Campaigns Begin
Nigerian Navy Boosts Maritime Defense as CNS Inaugurates State-of-the-Art SSV-KALI 3 Vessel Built in Delta
Osogbo Shooting — Police Confirm 60-Year-Old Man Dead, Vows to Arrest Suspects
Tinubu Appoints Enitan as New Head of Civil Service as Walson-Jack Bows Out
Onaiyakan Breaks Silence Over Presidency’s Diatribe, Declares ‘I Am Unshaken, Fear No One’
BREAKING: Governor Adeleke ‘Escapes Death’ as Gunmen Attack Convoy in Osogbo
UNICEF Demands Urgent Release of 78 Abducted Borno Schoolchildren
FCT Police Arrest 40 Over Traffic Robbery, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery
