Low-key celebration as Diri marks 6th anniversary

Lokpobiri, Ogbuku hail giant strides

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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The administration of Governor Douye Diri in Bayelsa State commemorated its sixth anniversary on Saturday, February 14, with a thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene.

This year’s celebration was, however, devoid of the usual fanfare, which Governor Diri explained was to honour the memory of the departed deputy governor of the state, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

At the well-attended Thanksgiving service, the Bayelsa governor paid tribute to his late deputy, whom he said began the journey with him in 2020.

Governor Diri, while thanking other arms of government for their support and solidarity, urged people of the state to continually imbibe the spirit of togetherness, tolerance, and reconciliation, and work collectively for its development.

“All we need to do is to unite and harness the human and material resources that abound in our state for our collective benefits. Bayelsa is so blessed with oil and gas and so much more.

“Now we are changing the narrative about Bayelsa’s difficult terrain by building roads to open up our hinterland and connecting communities, and we are still awarding more contracts.

“God had a plan for bringing me to the APC from the PDP. Let us keep uniting and speak with one voice, and we pray that God will bring another God-fearing leader who will perform better than I.”

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, in his goodwill message, said Diri’s emergence as governor was a divine intervention for the state.

According to Lokpobiri, Diri was God’s choice for the state, and he has succeeded in uniting political leaders in the state.

“Today, under your leadership, all of us are gathered here. That is why I am saying it in church here that no matter what you do, it is God who gives power to whoever he wants. So, nobody should claim that he made you governor. Only God made you governor.”

Similarly, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, while congratulating Governor Diri and his cabinet members, commended the administration for what he described as the enthronement of peace in the state.

Ogbuku said this has facilitated development initiatives across the length and breadth of the state.

“One legacy that no one can take away from you is the enthronement of peace and stability. Your administration has also ensured the amalgamation of all political parties into one. I pray God that you will finish strong,” Ogbuku stated.

Speaking on behalf of the state’s National Assembly Caucus, a member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Mitema Obordor, described six years of Diri’s leadership as visionary, impactful, and exceptional governance.