By John Ovie, YENAGOA
Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state on Saturday played host to an intimidating crowd as a mixture of the high and low of society gathered to pay their last respect to the first female lawmaker in the Bayelsa state House of Assembly, late Vivian Ere Imananagha.
It could be recalled that the pioneer woman legislator battled a protracted breast cancer disease until she succumbed to the cold hands of death on the 17th of April, 2026 in faraway Turkey at the age of 63.
Since her passing away, the death of Vivian Imananagha has been marked by glowing tributes, recognising her pioneering role in Bayelsa state politics.
Representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2 in the first Bayelsa state assembly, the late political amazon represented a strong voice and the pride of womanhood in the state legislature.
From a valedictory session organised in her honour by the Bayelsa state assembly and the service of songs held at the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall of government house, the departed Vivian Imananagha was described as a woman of courage, determination and a trailblazer.
Many believe that her political vibrancy inspired many woman to join the rough waters of politics in Bayelsa state and beyond.
At a grand reception organised in her honour at the Amassoma Community Secondary School field shortly after her remains was lowered to mother earth, past and serving national and state legislators and other dignitaries where on hand.
Chairman of the reception ceremony and former chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, described the deceased as the greatest mobilizer of Ijaw women that he has ever met.
Kuku further went emotional, urging the people of the Ijaw nation to imbibe the habit of providing financial help to the sick rather than organising lavished burial ceremonies.
