National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Afahame Bassey, BAYELSA
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, mourns the passing of Prof. Christopher Dime, the pioneer president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and a founding figure in the Ijaw struggle.
Prof. Dime, a key Ijaw nationalist, served as the first INC President from 1992 to 1994, prior to the creation of Bayelsa State.
During a lecture and night of tribute in his honour, Governor Diri, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, praised Prof. Dime for bringing an intellectual approach to the Ijaw struggle for emancipation.
Governor Diri emphasised the need for the Ijaw people to embody humility and service to humanity, as exemplified by their leaders.
He stated, “We have come to celebrate Prof. Christopher Dime. To his family, he was a husband and father. To the Ijaw nation, he was a man who fought to emancipate our people, bringing intellectual depth to our struggle.”
Diri noted the uniqueness of Prof. Dime’s humility and sacrifice, highlighting the simultaneous celebration of two great Ijaw leaders, Isaac Adaka Boro and Prof. Dime, both of whom contributed significantly to the Ijaw cause.
The President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaka, described Prof. Dime as a humble, fearless, and tireless champion of the Ijaw cause.
He praised Dime’s selfless and sacrificial service in uniting and liberating the Ijaw nation, despite long years of neglect and deprivation.
Prof. Christopher Dime will be buried on Saturday in his hometown, Iboro village, Olodiama clan, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
