The idea of the formation of Bayelsa State Union (BSU) was conceived by five Bayelsans, when they paid a condolence visit to Reverend Fefiagh on 20th March 2000, at the death of his wife. The five persons are:-

Mr N. Henry

Mr Tokoro

Mr C. N. Odu

Mr Stanley Eguruze

Mr Cliff Sikpi

It was at that occasion that Mr Cliff Sikpi put forward the idea that, Bayelsans resident in United Kingdom and Ireland should form a union that will serve as a forum to discuss matters of common interest. When Mr C. N. Odu embraced the idea, the rest quickly followed suit. It was then agreed that an inaugural meeting be called. Mr Stanley Eguruze was assigned to send circulars to Bayalsans that he knew, as he was an official of the then Federation of Ijaw Communities (FEDICOM), so had access to the database of many Beyelsans in the United Kingdom and Eire. This was the cradle of Bayelsa State Union.

The inaugural meeting was held on Saturday 29th April 2000 at the Ijaw Links Project (Ijaw Youth Community Centre), 76 Falcon Road, Battersea, London SW11 2LR. At the meeting, Mr Temple Clarkson Sambo was appointed as acting Chair and Mr Stanley E Eguruze was appointed as acting secretary. The name Bayelsa State Union was adopted at the meeting, and it was agreed that the next meeting be held on 3rd June 2000. There were several speakers at the meeting, including the following:-

Mr Hubert Ingiran

Mr Cliff Sikpi

Mr Clarkson Sambo

Tari Kingsley Kongha

Diseye Okpokpo

Mr C. N. Odu

Mr Tokoro

Mr Sunny Peters

Immediately after the inauguration, a resolution was passed by the House to work towards gaining Charity status for the Union.

Below is a chronology of the chief executives of Bayelsa State Union of Great Britain and Ireland since its inception:-

  1. Mr Clarkson Sambo (He was acting Chair)

  1. Mr Emmanuel Dufegha (He was elected President)

  1. Mr Solomon Dise (He was Chairman of a Caretaker Committee)

  1. Mr Cliff Sikpi (He was elected President)

  1. Mr Akpos Mezeh (He was acting President)

  1. Dr Prince Efere (He was elected President 1st July 2006)

The union is a dynamic organisation that is remodelling itself to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

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