Presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Alhaji Sule Lamido, yesterday, paid separate condolence visits to the Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, at his Toru-Orua country home in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
Both of them during the visit extolled the exemplary leadership qualities of the Bayelsa helmsman and the role of his mother in moulding those virtues.
Governor Dickson's Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State, as saying that the Bayelsa governor's selfless service, hard work, perseverance, courage and truthfulness were outstanding virtues that showed a good upbringing by his late mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson.
He said these were the required virtues to succeed in life.
The PDP presidential hopeful recalled that he failed twice in school as a result of the trauma of losing his mother at the age of 13 and that he had to move from one home to another until he realised that he had to stand on his feet and not rely on anyone.
Makarfi encouraged Dickson to trust in God for the strength to bear the loss while calling on the people of the state and Nigerians in general to continue to pray for him, his family and the eternal repose of his mother's soul.
His words: "I am here as a brother to commiserate with you, your family, the entire Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation and Nigerians in general on the loss of your mother, who coincidentally died on my birthday, August 8.
"God gives and takes. There is an appointed day for every one of us. Times like this helps us to reflect on whether it was a life well spent. You are a living evidence that your mother had a life well spent. You as her offspring is evidence as she was able to teach you hard work, patience, perseverance, courage and truthfulness.
"I lost my mother at the age of 13 and that affected my education because it made me repeat a class twice. I was disoriented, moving from one home to the other. At some point, I realised that I had to stand on my feet at that young age. I prayed to God to make me not rely on anyone and since then I have been going up and never down," he said.
Lamido, on his part, said what Governor Dickson lost cannot be replaced but that God decides who should go.
"I came here to comfort you, share your grief and to condole with you. The best way to remember your mom is by continuing your good work. Work hard to lift your people and continue with the spirit of your mother," the former Jigawa State governor said.
Governor Dickson, in his response, appreciated the duo for the visit, which he noted was significant and a practical show of love, concern, support and encouragement.
He observed that their visit was at a time their schedule was tight, especially as they continue their consultations ahead of the PDP presidential primaries.
He thanked them for their service to the country in various capacities, saying they have succeeded in building bridges of friendship and understanding.
The Bayelsa helmsman noted that Makarfi and Lamido were two of the most experienced, reliable and open-minded leaders in the country.
He restated the decision of his family to build a cancer centre in memory of their mother and to prevent further deaths from cancer.
"We intend to raise funds to build the Goldcoast Dickson Cancer Centre here in Toru-Orua as a private initiative of my family. My mother died of lung cancer even though she never smoked cigarettes.
"Her death could have been prevented if it was detected or diagnosed early. So, the cancer centre initiative will largely serve the purpose of detecting and preventing similar causes of death as well as honour my mom's memory," he said.
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