Bayelsa Gov Mourns Capt Owonaro, Isaac Boro’s Ally

Captain Sam Owonaro, one of the leaders of the 1966 12-day revolutionary war led by late Major Isaac Adaka Boro to free the Niger Delta from Nigeria, is dead. Reacting to the death of Owonaro, who was the Chief of Staff to Boro during the war, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the Ijaw nation has lost a giant. In a statement issued yesterday by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor expressed sadness over the passing of Owonaro, whom he described as a giant, father, hero and one of the greatest leaders of modern Ijaw in Nigerian history. Diri said Owonaro's steadfastness and dedication to the cause of the Ijaw nation was a source of inspiration and motivation to him just as it was a guiding light to millions of people. While extending his condolences to the Owonaro family of Kaiama, the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma and Bayelsa State in general, the governor said he was comforted by Pa Owonaro's legacy of self-denial, commitment and loyalty with which he battled for equity, fairness and justice. He recalled that these were the same issues that propelled the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro and his colleagues, at very tender ages, to be involved in the legendary 12-day revolution. According to him, “These issues are still dear to Bayelsans and the Ijaw nation. Owonaro was indeed a giant and we are privileged to have had the benefit of his erudition and wise counsel. His steadfastness and dedication to the cause of the Ijaw nation was a source of inspiration and motivation for me and a guiding light to millions of others. Today, that light has been extinguished and it feels as though we have been engulfed by darkness. "We are blessed to have shared in the life of Owonaro, who embodied such values and ideals." The late Owonaro, who would have been 76 years on July 22, is reputed for his gallantry alongside the late Isaac Boro, Nottingham Dick and others who declared a Niger Delta Republic in 1966.