Bayelsa State passes bill to get flag, anthem and coat of arm

Bayelsa state House of Assembly have indicated interest to have their own emblem that would reflect colors and symbols of the Ijaw nation. It was learnt that the bill was introduced to the house on tuesday (7-08-12) and went through the entire law-making process the same day.

The Leader of the House, Mr. Peter Akpe, was said to have sponsored the bill.

It was learnt that the bill was against the backdrop of a decision reached on Monday at the state’s Executive Council meeting which was held in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The council meeting which was presided over by the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, was said to have approved a flag, an anthem and coat of arm for the state to give the state a unique identity.

It was learnt that the council had also concluded that the emblems would reflect the colours and symbols of the Ijaw nation.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, confirmed the development to our correspondent and said the symbols would be put to use immediately the governor signed the bill into law.

He said the emblem would serve as a unifying force and rallying point for the Ijaw nation and help to preserve the culture and values of the people.

He said the development was not peculiar to the state.

He said, “It is common knowledge that virtually all the states in the South western region such as Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti have since launched theirs. The most recent was the North Central state of Kwara.

“In the South-South, Cross River and Rivers states are the only two states in the region that have embraced this noble concept. In the case of Rivers, it was done since the 1970s.

“We believe that Bayelsa State, being the only state that can be considered as the home state of the Ijaw race, deserves even much more to blaze this trail than any other states in the federation. This much is true because of the emphasis we place on the propagation of the Ijaw ideals and what we stand for as a people, the Ijaw ideology.”

                           Culled from Punch News