Bayelsa State Flag, Coat Of Arm

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
For the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the Nigerian
federation, Wednesday signing into law of the Bayelsa symbols and seal
by Governor Seriake Dickson was a welcome development.
Though the decision which was taken last Monday at the 7th meeting of
the Bayelsa State Executive Council has sparked fresh controversies
especially with the growing voices ofsecession across the country and
escalating violence in the North, however the majority of the people
of the state did not see anything wrong with the action of Governor
Seriake Dickson, who incidentally is alawyer and former member of the
House of Representatives.
Surprisingly, when most analysts hadthought the state government
wouldjettison the plan given the stormy debate it generated in some of
quarters that it was a secessionist ploy, Hon. Seriake Dickson
Wednesday went ahead to create a new identity, coat of arms and anthem
for the state by signing the bill into Law.
Governor Seriake Dickson
The bill known as the Bayelsa State Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem
Law2012 which was among the eight bills passed by the State House of
Assembly has not only awaken old passion but ignited fresh hopes for
the Ijaw nation the fourth largest ethnic nationality.
Bayelsa State to the Ijaw nation whose people are scattered as
minorities in Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibomand Delta states is regarded as
their'Jerusalem,' hence the new state flag with four colours (white,
blue, red and green) and three stars represent the hope and
aspirations of the people.
A source told Saturday Vanguard, "the white colour represents purity,
honour and trustfulness of the people and their quest for justice
while the blue represents the abundance of waters and their inherent
resources; the red colour symbolizes blood of our martyrs while the
green colour signifies the rich vegetation and the stars, the hopes
and aspirations of the Ijaw nation.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson,
in a statement issued after the signing of the bill into Law said the
new law will provide a unique opportunity for government to make a
clear pronouncement on the real intendment of the law as follows:
"That Bayelsa State is a federating unit in the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, created and recognized in the constitution with rights,
powers and obligations. That all structures, organs and officials of
the state operate under the constitution of theFederal Republic of
Nigeria. That ourdecision to have state symbols and songs, are as a
result of our belief intrue federalism as a cardinal cornerstone of
Nigerian nationhoodand it is in exercise of our inalienable rights as
a federating unit.
"This is a right, which we cannot be denied of since several other
states with the same rights have equally exercised. That the decision
taken byour government in this regard is also as a result of our
commitment to the propagation of Ijaw culture, language, history and
ideals. That this decision also creates a platformfor us as a
government to rally our people for positive development within the
context of a united, egalitarian and democratic Nigeria."
Commenting on the controversy generated by the law, Hon. Seriake
Dickson at an interactive session with newsmen at the Government House
Tuesday night said though the intention of the state was misconstrued
by some politicians, such fear of secession is misplaced and the law
be viewed from the need for the state to create a new identity for
itself in the interest of tourism.
Dickson said, "This is just a question of federalism and national
identity. If you go to Lagos State, the crest behind the Governor is
the crest of Lagos not the Federal Republic. Unfortunately, this is
the Nigeria of today. People sensationalize.
"Other states have done it long ago.Now, I want to do it and they are
screaming. We want to promote tourism and if visitors come in, we will
present them with a plaque and it denotes our identity. I know people
will understand and you know that I am a politician of conviction and
not convenience."
Also the President of Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger
Delta (CENND) Prof Kimse Okoko defended the Bayelsa State government
action which he described as legitimate in a federal setting.
The immediate past President of theIjaw National Congress (INC) who
lampooned the quasi federalism being practiced in the country queried,
"What is wrong with the action? The state has the right to its own
anthem and flag. It is long overdue and I support what the state
government has done."
The state Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Felix
Tuodolo in his reaction said the Bayelsa State flag, coat of arms and
anthem was in tandem with the vision of the founding fathers of
thestate and the administration's standon Ijaw mobilization and
integration.
"This decision also underscores government's belief that this state,
like any other state is where the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic
nationality, has as its home. Bayelsais home to all Ijaws both at home
and abroad. The emblem therefore,will help serve as a unifying force
and rallying point for all our people.It says a lot about the
preservation of our culture, our essential values asa people and as a
race," he said.
The symbol he further explained wasnot in any way aimed at undermining
the country's unity. He declared, "the point must be made clear that
the steps taken by our government to announce the proposed launch of a
state owned flag, anthem and coat of arms is not in any way different
from what other states in the federation have done.
"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
moreto blaze this trail than any other state in the federation, given
its uniqueness. This much is true becauseof the emphasis we place on
the propagation of the Ijaw ideals and what we stand for as a people,
the Ijaw ideology. More importantly, as a government,we view the
decision as critical to our development and itmatches our drive to
project BayelsaState as a world class tourist destination, the
frontier for eco tourism and an investment haven."
For Alagoa Morris, a renowned environmental/human rights activist, "it
is gratifying to note that this whole issue of anthem and coat of arm
is in connection to a state and not individuals; a state in which the
governor is not only a lawyer byprofession but a former lawmaker of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former policeman.
"We have been calling for true federalism for too long a time now and,
if in a secular federating state like Nigeria we have some states
having Sharia as official religion andwe recently heard of Islamic
banking system, what is the confusion or hullabaloo about Bayelsa
coming up with its own anthem and coat? Or are we treating some
sections of this country as first class citizens and others second and
third class folks?
"As a federating unit, I see practically nothing wrong with a people
having something tangible asa unifying factor just as the Ijaws have
Haaaaaaaaaan Izon, AaaaaanIzon. Why hasn't the government questioned
the Ijaws about AaaaaanIzon? Besides, the fact that we also have the
Isoko people as part of Bayelsa State, Izons or Ijaws should have a
more unifying structure that will galvanize the people to greater
heights. I am also not concerned about what others may say on the
issue because people are free to differ in views. Again, like the
recentdeclaration by Ogoni, all human beings are free to chose for
themselves; even self determination."
Another Bayelsan, John Idumange described as uncalled for the
hallabaloo over Bayelsa's adoption of her own coat of arm, flag and
anthem citing the practice in the United States of America which is
also a federal state.
"It only demonstrates that Bayelsa has come of age as a state within
Nigerian federation".
Under a federal system of government, component states are allowed to
have their own flag, coat of arm and anthem except printing their own
currency or own armed forces. In the United States of America which is
riveting model of federalism, all states; California, Texas, New
Jersey, Michigan, New Mexico, Florida among others have their flags
flown along with the American national flag," he said.
Saturday Vanguard investigation however revealed that the Bayelsa
State Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem Bill 2012 stipulates fine for any
person or group of persons whoflies or exhibits the state flag or coat
of arms with addition or alterations or adds to, deface and or
willfully destroys the state coat ofarms and or flag; or adds to or
alters the wordings of the state anthem shall be guilty of an offence
under this law and shall upon conviction be sentenced to 6
monthsimprisonment with an option of N100,000.00 fine or both.
The offences under this law the bill added shall be triable by a Chief
Magistrate in the state.