A former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi could not hide his displeasure over the indifference of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State government to the funeral of Alabo Tamunotenyim Omubo Graham-Douglas (TOG), as the four-time federal minister who died at 83 was laid to rest on Saturday in Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Wike, his deputy and daughter of the Kalabari Kingdom, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, were conspicuously absent with no representative of the Rivers State Government present as activities marking the burial of TOG climaxed at his home-town with a requiem service before his remains were interred.
In his remarks, Amaechi said by his immense contributions to nation-building, Rivers, in particular, the Head of Orubibi Douglas War Canoe House deserved a state burial.

He said:  “Indeed going by the contributions he made to the state, I was thinking that the state would take responsibility for everything concerning Alabo. You don’t need to be governor to be recognised.
“Alabo played a very important role in making Rufus Ada George governor of Rivers. We came to thank him here in Abonnema when Ada George became governor. And he (TOG) was arguably one of the best-dressed Rivers men until his death.”

Whatever imagined void created by the absence of the Rivers State Government was, however, filled by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douyi Diri who led a large contingent from his state to “celebrate greatness” in TOG, according to the words of Diri.
Diri said: “TOG was a colossus. We are all here to pay our last respect to this incredible man. We are not here to mourn but to celebrate greatness. I’m deeply honoured to be part of the gathering.
“TOG represents the very important symbol and voice, highlighting the issues and importance of our corporate existence as a country and as an ethnic (Ijaw) nationality.
“I and the Government of Bayelsa thank the Graham-Douglas family and the people of Abonnema for the incredible gift that TOG was to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large. It is remarkable to note that throughout his service to the nation, he left an indelible imprint as an administrative and innovative genius.
“Whereas he is a staunch and patriotic Nigerian, he will wear the Ijaw ethnic identity with great pride. And what defines people, are their language and their mode of dressing. Today I dress, though lowly, like Alabo Graham-Douglas, representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality. We would always remember him as a man of integrity who embodied the principles and values of our forbearers.”

Prof Benjamin Okaba, President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), celebrated TOG as, “A man who stood out from the crowd, a crusader for the Ijaw Kingdom with an impeccable record of excellence. The Ijaw nation is mourning because we are passing through perilous times and we needed Alabo to be with us at this time. Alabo is somebody we need to study. He was a leader of the Ijaw nation.”
The International Youth Pastor of the Redeemed Church of God, Pastor Belemina Obunge in the funeral sermon, themed, ‘Why Do We Have Life’ said the essence was to follow the word of God and to please Him, urging the congregation to be committed at all times to living aright before their maker as everyone would bid farewell to life on earth.”
Among others present to pay last respect was Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd); former Petroleum Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogoba (SAN), and former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, among others.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt