By John ODHE, Yenagoa
It was an atmosphere of solemnity and glowing tributes in honour of late Comrade Ebiakpo Barle, publisher of a Yenagoa based magazine, the AM Times, during his burial rites at the weekend in Bayelsa and Delta states respectively.
While his service of songs was held on Thursday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, the remains of the 64-year old publisher who died on June 18, 2022, were laid to rest on Saturday, 20th, 2022 at his home town, Ayakoromo in Burutu local government area of Delta state.
Speaking at the service of songs held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the late Barle as a dogged fighter who used all he had to fight for the development of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large.
Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor said as a media practitioner, Barle used his magazine, the AM Times, to promote the course of the Ijaw ethnic nationality at no cost.
“Ebiakpo’s death was very, very painful. Some things happen that we cannot explain. We have to accept it as the will of God because if God had not allowed it, it could not have happened. There is something I admire about our late Comrade – his fighting spirit is next to none.
“I recall the number of times Ebiakpo had gotten in touch with me concerning running for one office or the other. I remember the last effort he made trying to become the publicity secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC). He is somebody in whose vain the Ijaw blood runs greatly. He was very committed to the Ijaw struggle,” he added.
In his tribute, the President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba recalled that Ebiakpo was a major factor in the Ijaw struggle especially during the war against the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) in the Western part of the country, noting that the late publisher combined journalism and zeal in the fight for the emancipation of the Ijaws.
Also speaking both at the service of songs and at Ayakoromo community during the internment, chairman of the Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA) Mr. Francis Dufugha said Eiak[po was an active member of the association until the cold hands of death untimely snatched him away.
Dufugha who is also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Niger Delta Herald newspaper, said Ebiakpo would be greatly missed and remembered for his love for the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta which he genuinely and professionally fought for until his sudden demise, calling on all Ijaw sons and daughters to borrow a leaf from the selfless service rendered by the late prolific writer to his fatherland.
About Author
