Bayelsa State is to immortalize the late Major Isaac Boro and late elder statesman, Harold Dappa-Biriye as part of efforts to project Ijaw history and culture.

The move is also aimed at tourism development to project Bayelsa to Nigeria and the entire world as part of  plans to diversify the state economy from over reliance on crude oil.

Inaugurating a committee in Yenagoa to come up with recommendations on the establishment of world class Boro historical research centre, Governor Seriake Dickson also charged them to look into how Kaiama home town of Boro could be preserved as an Ijaw historical site as well as launch a research into Boro’s life including how he started the struggle, how he died and how he influenced all of us.”

The governor recalled that in view of the pronouncements he made during the marking of Boro’s death the previous day, “I inaugurate the committee to advise us on how to properly immortalise him and in due course properly document our history.”
He stated that the late elder statesman, Harold Dappa-Biriye should be immortalised for his efforts to teach the Ijaws how to play politics in a multi ethnic country like Nigeria.

Although, Dappa-Biriye hailed from Okrika in neighbouring Rivers State, Dickson explained that Bayelsa will champion the cause of his immortalisation being the only homogenous Ijaw states as well as the centre of the Ijaw nation.
Stressing that the committee has two weeks to submit its report, the governor disclosed that “our intention is to commence any physical construction to have a befitting monument in place before the next Boro Day.”
Responding, the state deputy governor, John Jonah who is the chairman of the committee said the inauguration of the committee has reinforced the  character of the present administration to follow up on pronouncements that are made.

Jonah noted that members of the committee are all tested with pedigree that showed that they will perform.

He thanked the governor for inaugurating the committee as part of his vision to make Bayelsa State a tourist attraction and also erasing the idea of celebrating Boro Day outside the shores of Nigeria.