Igali felicitates with Debekeme as he turns 72
Ndu Samuel
A former apirant in the just cluded Peoples Democratic party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa State, Amb. Godknows Igali has felicitade with elder Zee Debekeme as he turns 72.
Elder Debekeme, an accomplished journalist, businessman and political strategist turned 72 on Sunday 15th September 2019.
In his congratulatory message made available to journalist in Yenagoa earlier today, a copy of which was sent to to Liberator Newspapers, Amb Igali described Debekeme as ” the bastion of one of the most noble professions, that is masters of the pen and speech, in Nigeria”
The ace diplomat noted that Elder Debekeme had left his professional mark in all the main media houses in Nigeria and around the world and today represents “the apogee of professional media and communications sphere”.
He recalled that the days of Debekeme as Chief Press Secretary and Political Aide to both Former Old Rivers State Governor, Chief Melford Okilo and Former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha saw him crave an inches for himself in the political sphere, saying ” he paid his dues and now deserves to enjoy his rightful place as one of the shining stars in the pantheon of the heroes of our polity”
While eulogising the veteran journalist, Igali noted that he has been actively involved in the politics and developmental struggles of Nigeria as one time Chairman of Youth Wing of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in River State, one of the leading exponents for creation of Bayelsa State, founding member of Ijaw National Congress as well as National Secretary of House to House Campaign for Jonathan-Sambo Presidency.
Igali noted that it is his impeccable disposition to developmental issues and wide experience as a grassroot mobilizer that “informed my decision to bring this old fox to run our Project Bayelsa Campaign and he did a most marvellous job in working with thousands of young people, the age of his children and grandchildren”.
Bebekeme who has always been described as Nigeria’s most outstanding journalists, was born in Ndoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa on 15 September, 1947. He is also a very successful businessman and founding member Yenagoa and Sagbama Chambers of Commerce.
Although his name at birth was “Ekpoenaiziwereten”, the media community in Lagos in his early professional days, shortened it to “Zee”.
A devout Christian, being an ordained Elder in the Living Faith Church. He lives in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with his family.
