The Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described Africa’s renowned poet and literary icon, Dr. Gabriel Okara, as a blessing to the Niger Delta in particular and the Nigerian nation in general.

In a congratulatory message to mark the 90th birthday anniversary of the poet  by Mr Joseph Evah on behalf of the group, he said that the life of Gabriel Okara reflects Niger Ddelta’s rich culture of knowledge and wisdom. “Our poetic oracle was one of the main issues in the world of literature and his foot-prints in the sand of time are visible for the future generation. He brought life to African literature and his writing became the real engine in  the world  of literature.”

The Ijaw group further said  that the poetic prophecies of Gabriel Okara revealed Niger Delta’s greatness in human and material resources, adding that the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as the first doctorate degree holder to govern Nigeria was not a surprise to those following the writings of Okara.

”We urge the federal government and Bayelsa State government to immortalize him while he is still alive to encourage the younger generation.”