By Emem Idio

AS a mark of tribute and last respect to the late Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, some residents under the platform of Trekkers Club of Nigeria last week completed a grueling five-day, 60km trek from the ancient coastal town of Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area to Yenagoa, the state capital.

Led by John Benson, aka “Chief Trekker of Nigeria,” the team braved rivers and roads to honour the departed leader, citing his unifying role in Bayelsa State and contributions to the Prosperity Government.

Reason for tortuous journey

Speaking to NDV on arrival in Yenagoa, the leader of the team, John Benson said they started their journey from the riverine hinterlands of Nembe, paddled across rivers and continued their trekking on roads.

“We are trekking all the way from Nembe Local Government Area to honour our late deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo because this death is a natural disaster.

“The Trekkers Club of Nigeria decided that this is the only way they can honour him and to use the opportunity to console the governor of the state and to also console his immediate family and Ofoni community.  

“This mission is free of charge without any financial inducement attached, it’s a humanitarian venture and it has taken us five days.”

His legacies

“I  see him as a unifying figure in Bayelsa State. The achievements of the Prosperity Government all these years can be attributed to the late deputy governor, I say so because of his pragmatic and result-oriented nature because if the late Ewhrudjakpo was not productive, maybe the governor wouldn’t have recorded all these achievements.”

“When the governor is not around, he will hold brief for the governor perfectly and he believes in inclusive administration. In fact, he is a philanthropist. That is what informs us to say “oh, a good man has left us, what do we do for him as part of our contribution to honour him and his legacies?”