The Executive Secretary National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, on Saturday 19th May, 2012, laid to rest his Uncle, late Chief James Dorgeh Ayakoroma, popularly known as Comrade JD.
The funeral service for late Comrade JD was conducted by the New Jerusalem Church of Christ, just as his body was interred at Apodizi Quarters, Toru-Angiama, in Patani Local Government Area, Delta State.
Comrade JD died in a ghastly accident on Saturday 10th March, 2012, at Adagbabiri, while on a motorbike on his way to Toru-Angiama, Bayelsa State.
JD, who was born on the 16th of February 1943, lived a successful and fulfilled life, as he rose from a humble background to assume various notable positions of leadership during his lifetime.
He had his early education at CMS Primary School, Toru-Angiama, Patani LGA, Delta State, after which he had professional training in printing and publishing in Sapele and Warri, Delta State, and was later employed by his trainers, GES Press in Warri.
Comrade JD was a pioneer staff of Nigerian Tide, the Rivers state-owned Newspaper, and he later joined Trade Unionism and became President, Printers and Publishers Workers Union of Nigeria
(PAPWUN) Rivers State Chapter and Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Council.
He became Chairman, Izon-Otu National Movement, aka, Izon Move, an organization that gave voice to the Ijaws in Rivers State, and later led what became known as, Operation Black Saturday.
Chief JD Ayakoroma was also a founding member of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN), in the old Rivers State, a venture which led to his election later as Secretary of the Defunct Niger Delta State Movement.
He retired from partisan politics after unsuccessful attempts at elected political positions, after which he was appointed Member, Area Customary Court, Patani, and later becoming Chairman, Lay Judges Association in Delta State.
At the home front, Comrade JD served as Chairman of the Kumbowei Chiefs and Peoples Council, an organization which contributed to the promotion and recognition of the traditional stool of the Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei by the Delta State Government and in recognition of his contribution in this area, he was installed as the Amaebidouowei of Angiama by the Amananaowei of Angiama federated Towns in Delta and Bayelsa States, His Highness, Professor P.S. Akponwei.
As a motivational speaker and writer, Late Comrade JD Ayakoroma published a book, titled, “Rivers State: The Roof of all Ijaws” and had completed a novel, titled, “Sonoma Benikoro,” which he was preparing to publish before the cold hands of death snatched him away. 
Chief James Dorgeh Ayakoroma is survived by his wife, Akpoebi, three children, Oyinkuro, Ayibaemi and Tokoni, one step daughter, Alasuomere Fakah, and a grandson, Ebitari Egiren.
The entire Management and Staff of NICO mourned with their ES, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, and the entire Ayakoroma family, over the irreplaceable loss, as all but two of the Directors, all the Zonal Heads and other Senior Management staff, as well as other staff, attended the funeral ceremony at Toru-Angiama, Patani LGA, of Delta State.
May the soul of Comrade JD Ayakoroma rest in peace and may God grant the entire family the fortitude to bear the vacuum created by his departure, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Jonathan N. Nicodemus
Corporate Affairs