Leadership skill does not come by accident but through years of experience of holding different positions. In public life, experience, they say is the best teacher and so, holding such a critical political position as head of government at any level demands so much administrative experience.
That is where you find a worthy example in Senator Douye Diri, the 5th Civilian Governor of Bayelsa State. Since he came to power miraculously in 2020, his activities have revealed truly a visionary man. With a deep sense of maturity, rare patience, simplicity and focus, Douye Diri, like the famed eagle, is uncommonly and incurably visionary and deeply “aware” of his sense of mission to humanity and strategies to deliver his developmental agenda to the people.
He is visionary enough to remember his little beginning from his country home of Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. Today, he is a governor that is changing the story of development in Bayelsa State. Steadily, things are changing for good and many citizens, who never gave him the chance now openly confessed, “that they were misinformed about the capacity and personality of the governor”. Indeed, now, they know better that Douye Diri, is kind-hearted and a good man who loves his people dearly.
In just two years in office, Governor Diri, has left no one in doubt as to the direction of his government of prosperity. He has touched many lives positively through infrastructural projects and various empowerment programmes.
By every standard, Diri, is an achiever with the number of projects so far completed and inaugurated. According to a quote by an American business magnate, Larry Ellison, “Great achievers are driven, not so much by the pursuit of success, but by the fear of failure.” This is exactly the drive behind the countless scheduled and unscheduled inspection visit to projects sites by a governor who does not want to be associated with failures.
It is gratifying to note that the people of Bayelsa State have been pouring encomiums on the current administration under a governor who has shown genuine commitment to make a difference. Prominent leaders and key stakeholders across the eight local government areas are unanimous in their assessment of the governor for demonstrating rare leadership qualities.
There is a conscientious urban renewal programme to give the State capital, Yenagoa a befitting status. As a matter of pride, the popular Edepie/Etegwe roundabout is a testimony of the infrastructural upgrade within Yenagoa through expansion and beautification work. Also, over fifty internal roads within the state capital were earlier rehabilitated before the construction of twenty new internal roads.
Under this government, the Bayelsa International Airport commenced commercial flight operation. The Prosperity Administration has penchant for policy of continuity with inherited projects. So much has been achieved in the areas of roads and infrastructure, education, health, empowerment, skills acquisition among other sectors. Projects completed and inaugurated so far include a 4.5 kilometre Igbedi road, reconstructed Elebele bridge, section one of the Igbogene- AIT Elebele outer ring road to Okarki end, the New Yenagoa city road from Onopa and the historic Nembe unity bridge that connects Nembe-Ogbolomabiri to Bassambiri.
The audacious move by previous administration to link riverine communities to Yenagoa, the State capital by roads through the three senatorial projects are on course. The Prosperity Government has continued with the construction of Sagbama-Ekeremor and Yenagoa-Oporoma road projects.
Just recently, the Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the awards of the construction of the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East Senatorial district, an announcement that has been widely received by the people of the area. The people have waited for this road for over 60 years and the Prosperity Government under Sen. Diri, is standing firmly to commence the historic project.
This man Douye Diri belongs to a rare breed of high achievers. He is a passionate change agent who is serving the general interest to build an enviable future and development for the people of ancient Nembe. He is clearly an achiever who do not submit to instant gratification but invest in the long-term payoff.
A courageous, fearless and prudent administrator, Governor Diri, sits in his office to treat his files and memo. Having served in various positions in the past including being a Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Principal Executive Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, Member of the House of Representatives and Senator of the Federal Republic, he is deep in administration and very smart to deal with bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The teacher and political scientist is no rubber stamp; he is a thoroughly organised leader, with a stickler for the minute details. To him, planning is key to success and so, he guides against being pressured to sign any memo. As a man with great mind and sound judgment because of his high mental alertness, he diligently attends to matters brought before him. He detest rumours, blackmails and lies against one another. So, be sure of reports presented to him!
This is a man who begins his daily routine by 5.30am with about 8 kilometre walk and jogging. Physical exercise is as good to the mind, as it is to the body and having regular exercise also sharpens the memory.
After the exercise comes the morning devotion to commit the day unto God. Diri, a man who reference God is physically and spiritually strong to confront the arduous tasks before him as the Chief Executive of the State each day.
A man so conscious of time and schedules of engagements. He carefully organises every elements or semblance of distractions out of his life. A boss with a strong listening skills and very patient to act. He understands that a cheerful look breakdown administrative barriers. He exhumes enthusiasm with a great sense of humour while relating with his appointees and visitors. Even when he wants to disapprove a request, he brings up the smiling face to say no in the most friendly manner. Yes, at other times, he bluntly says no to request that falls short of his expectations. That is true leadership and strict managerial skills from a man with rich administrative experience.
He seeks proper advice before taking critical decisions.Those attributes are the keys to the very interesting and unimaginable successes recorded so far in just two years in office.
Douye Diri, is a leader who recognises hard work and loyalty. His principles are that “Good things will surely come to those who sweat”, meaning rewards await those who work hard to deliver assignments handed them. What an ebullient administrator par excellence he is! In fact, the leadership and administrative skills of Senator Douye Diri,Governor of Bayelsa State, has become a subject of research for scholars in leadership and management fields.
Thank you to an ebullient leader who is leading his people on a collective journey to have a prosperous Bayelsa State.
Oredipe Kola, is Director, New Media