Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Sunday paid tribute to the Armed Forces during a thanksgiving service marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
He highlighted the unique and commendable dedication of soldiers who served under challenging circumstances.
Governor Diri underscored the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by military personnel, emphasizing that they often pay the ultimate price to ensure the safety and freedom of others.
In a statement by his media aide, Daniel Alabrah, the governor called on the people of Bayelsa to consistently honour and celebrate the contributions of both active-duty and retired service members.
Adding to his remarks about the Armed Forces, Diri urged politicians to respect electoral rules, reinforcing the need for integrity and fair practices in political processes.
In a proactive measure to ensure safety during upcoming events, he also announced enhancements to security at Igbogene and the local transport terminal, reflecting his commitment to maintaining peace and order in the community.
Governor Diri asserted: “Today, we are gathered to appreciate God for the lives of some very special group of people, a people that dedicated their lives even to death. They are very special to us as a country and as a state. So we need to honour and celebrate them.
“While we are thanking God for the families of the departed soldiers, we are also celebrating those that are living.”
Diri equally stated that for sustenance of the country’s democracy, politicians who violate electoral rules whenever the outcome does not tally with their interest must turn a new leaf.
The governor advised such politicians to be mature enough to accept electoral defeat for civil governance to be respected and sustained.
Following recent skirmishes between rival cult groups at Igbogene, a community on the outskirts of the state capital, the Bayelsa helmsman directed that security be beefed up in the area, particularly around the newly opened Bayelsa Transport Terminal.
He warned youth groups trying to extort passengers and commercial transporters at the terminal to steer clear of the facility.
In a sermon titled: ‘The Power of Unity,’ Chaplain of the King of Glory Chapel, Pastor David Yalah said there was a price to pay for unity.
Read Also: Diri hails Etete at 80, describes ex-minister as patriotic
According to the chaplain, “If there is no one to pay a price, everyone else suffers, and that any delay in having unity makes the price greater.
The remembrance thanksgiving was attended by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, who represented the Speaker, and other state legislators as well as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, who represented the state Chief Judge.
Others were the immediate past Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, his deputy, Irorodamie Komonibo, the Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema and other top government functionaries.