Jonathan, Gana pay tribute as Dickson’s mother is laid to rest

The final home journey of Bayelsa state governor’s mother, Goldcoast Dickson, began on Thursday in Yenagoa, the state capital with prominent Nigerians including the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan, paying tributes.

Jonathan, Jerry Gana and King Alfred Diete Spiff joined governors at the service of song held at the ecumenical center.

Goldcoast Dickson, fondly called Mama Gogo, passed away on August 8, this year, at the age of 72 after losing the battle with cancer.

Jonathan, Gana, Diete Spiff, Lauretta Mallam and others said the late Dickson left behind a legacy of resilience, contentment, uprightness, humility, hard work and selfless service to mankind and God.

Jonathan who said Mama Gogo was diligent in the service of the Lord demonstrated exceptional motherly love as captured in the tribute by her daughter-In-law, Rachel Dickson who gave account of how Ma GoldCoast prayed with her and encouraged her for the 15 years she battled infertility before the coming of the quadruplets.

She described Mama as a jewel of inestimable value who did not differentiate between her and her biological daughters.

In a brief exhortation, Bishop God-Do-well Avwomakpa said death is an inevitable end for all mortals adding that it was expedient for people to give their lives to God.

Responding, Dickson expressed gratitude to Bayelsans, various leaders across the country, friends and other sympathisers who had in one way or the other shown concern and support to him and the Dickson family over the demise of his mother, saying her remains would lie-in-state in Toru Orua for a traditional and Christian all night wake after which she would be interred in her hometown, Toru-Angiama, Delta State.

Former deputy senate president, Ibrahim Mantu, and former Deputy Governor, Sokoto state, Mukhtar Shagari also graced the event.