The Birthday of Dr Dakuku Peterside ( Director General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency) was celebrated in Grand style. The event which was put together by “Friends Of Dakuku Peterside” had in attendance ” big shorts” from within and outside Rivers State. Attendees to the event include : Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi( Minister of Transportation / Leader of APC South South), Governor Godwin Obaseki ( Governor of Edo State), Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chief Davies Ikanya ( APC Rivers State Chairman) ,Hon Asita Honourable (Leader Of APC Orashi) Hon Sampson Ngeribara, Chief Emeka Beke ( APC Rivers State Secretary), Directors and Staff of NIMASA, amongst other dignitaries.
After opening prayer, and hymns a brief exhortation was said by The Personal Assistant to the General Overseer of The Redeemed Church: where he encouraged everyone to be steadfast and remember to return all praise and glory to God, he also advised that people must put God first in all the do. Prayers were said for both Dakuku and Asita who share same birthday by Rev Eugene Ogu and other ministers.
The toast was taken by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who described Dakuku as an exceptional character in his words ” Dakuku defines the advice of never allowing your background to keep you on the ground “, as Dakuku has defiled odds to get to where he is now, he also prayed God to bless and uplift Dakuku.
The Tempo of the event rose to another level when Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi went up the stage to talk about the person “Dakuku “, according to him, Dakuku has been loyal even when others betrayed him, he further said out of the three “boys” he had, Dakuku was the one he expected to leave him, yet Dakuku remained firm irrespective of surrounding circumstances.
Guests where treated to beautiful tunes by Lady IB, and other Musicians. After wish Directors of NIMASA took turns to say special thing about their Boss the “DG”, Mr Ishichie ( Deputy Director Public Relations / Head of Communication of NIMASA) said Dr Dakuku had brought sanity into the agency , The Executive Director of Finance said the Agency was already collapsing before Dr Dakuku came on board but so far there has been a major revamp and rejig of the system. The Directors then presented a special gift to Dr Dakuku.
Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki while speaking said Dr Peterside is a rare breed as he will not forget how Dakuku encouraged him to run for Governor, stating that he watched and followed Dakuku’s campaign and all he could see was energy and Virgo . He also said ”
As a brother from the South-South, you(Dakuku Peterside) got to NIMASA and removed the shame the previous occupier(another of our South-South brothers) of that position put all of us. We, in the South-South are proud of you. You have sanitized NIMASA.”
After the celebrant Dr Dakuku danced, He gave his vote of thanks saying he was overwhelmed by the massive show of love and attendance he got. He specially thanked the leader of APC South South Rt Hon Amaechi for been steadfast and believing in him over the years, he also thanked his “Friends ” for putting together a beautiful birthday on his behalf .
The event ended with a closing prayer.
Photo credit : Martins, Spherewatch
