Gold Coast Dickson: Atiku, Dogara, Tinubu, Bayelsa commissioners mourn

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, on Thursday, confirmed the death of his mother, Mrs Gold Coast Dickson.
She was 72 years old.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, said the late Gold Coast died of cancer in the early hours of Thursday.
She died at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas, United States (U.S.) where she had been receiving treatment.
Dickson expressed appreciation to the centre, especially the team of medical professionals who did their best to save the life of his mother.
Dickson also thanked family members, friends, political associates and Nigerians generally for their prayers and support in the most trying times for the Dickson family.
“Until her death, she was a quintessential mother, devout Christian and community leader who devoted her lifetime to the service of God and humanity.
“Condolence registers have been opened in Government House, Yenagoa, the Governor’s residences in Opolo, Yenagoa and Toru-Orua Community in Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa
“Also the condolence register is available at Bayelsa State Liaison Office (IZON Warri) in Abuja and Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja. Funeral details will be announced by the family at a later date,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and frontline presidential aspirant for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condoled with Dickson over the death.
Atiku said in a statement on Thursday that the news of the loss of the Bayelsa State governor’s mother came to him with shock.
 “The loss of a dear one, not least a mother, can be very emotional. We must accept that Mama died as a fulfilled heart having gifted our great country with a great a son like you”, he said.
The former Vice President prays for the repose of soul of the deceased and for God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss of its matriarch.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, also condoled with Dickson.
He said: “My heartfelt condolences go to Governor Seriake Dickson, his immediate and extended family and the people of Bayelsa state over this great loss.
“Losing a loved one is never easy to bear, especially in the case of parents”, the speaker said.
The Speaker prayed that God comfort the family and grant her loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement by his Media Office in Lagos, said he understood how it felt like to lose a mother, having also experienced same.
He urged Dickson to take solace in the life of service to humanity his mother lived.
The short statement reads: “I commiserate with Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson over the passing of his mother, Madam Gold Coast Dickson.
Losing somebody dear to us like a mother can be difficult. I know how it feels because I have been through that way, having lost my mum.
“We must, however, be consoled by the memories of the time they spent with us. Mama is said to be a woman of substance who lived a life of service to humanity.
“She has done well for us by gifting the nation a wonderful son like Governor Dickson.  I pray that God grant Madam Dickson eternal rest and give the family the strength to endure this period”.
The Bayelsa State Executive Council expressed shock over the death.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in a statement, described her demise as a sad moment for the first family and the state. 
He said the late Mrs Gold Coast Dickson was a devoted Christian who loved God and dedicated her life to the works of the Almighty until her last breath. 
Iworiso-Markson, on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gborigboha John Jonah (rtd), and other members of the council, condoled with the governor and the entire Dickson family as well as the people of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government.
The Council prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and called on all Bayelsans to put the first family in their prayers, “especially at this trying moment”.