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  • Obasanjo, Jonathan, VPs, governors attend Diri’s second term inauguration

    Obasanjo, Jonathan, VPs, governors attend Diri’s second term inauguration

    • Diversification of Bayelsa economy my priority, says governor

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, yesterday took the oaths of office for a second term in office.

    The colourful ceremony, which held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the state capital, attracted dignitaries from across the country and beyond.

    The governor’s wives – Mrs. Gloria Diri, Justice Patience Ama Zoufa-Diri – were on hand to add more colours to the ceremony.

    Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan; Vice Presidents of Nigeria and Liberia, Senator Kashim Shettima and Jeremiah Kpan Koung, attended the ceremony.

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, were also there.

    Governors at the ceremony included Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umar Bago (Niger), Umar Fintiri (Adamawa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Umoh Eno (Akwa Ibom), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), and Seye Makinde (Oyo), chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazak (Kwara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Alex Otti (Abia).

    Others included former Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), former Senate President Bukola Saraki (Kwara), and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and James Manager, Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu, former Bayelsa State deputy governor and chairman of the Bayelsa Elders’ Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd.), former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Lt.-Col. Paul Edor Obi (retd.), two former PDP National Chairmen – Prince Uche Secondus and Dr. Iyiorcha Ayu, also attended the ceremony.

    Others at the event included the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2019 pll, Chief David Lyon; former Secretaries to the Bayelsa State Government (SSGs), Ambassador Felix Oboro and Chief Serena Dokubo Spiff; President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba; and one of his predecessors, Chief Joshua Fumudoh.

    Royal fathers included the Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo; Amanyanabo of Twon Brass and former governor of the old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete Spiff; and King Francis Tabai of Tuomo Kingdom in Delta State.

    The arrival of Governor Diri and his deputy was greeted with jubilation by the crowd.

    The oath of office and oath of allegiance were administered on Diri and Ewhrujadkpo by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye-Abrakasa.

    In his inaugural speech, titled: Bayelsa: We Are Better Together, Diri said: “In our first term in office, we made a solemn promise to pursue a path of love, reconciliation, unity, peace and security because we understand it best serves our quest to ensure prosperity for all Bayelsans.

    “As we embark on this second term, let me earnestly assure you that our commitment to the progress and advancement of Bayelsa remains steadfast. Your unwavering support and faith in our vision for a better Bayelsa fuels our determination to continue working tirelessly for our collective welfare and development.

    “Whereas we achieved remarkable milestones in various sectors during our first term, we also recognise that there is still more to be done. Indeed, we can say with humility that in the last four years, we did not merely count the years; we have made the years to truly count.”

    Also, PDP governors yesterday congratulated Diri on the take-off of his second term in office.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Diri sworn in as Bayelsa Gov for second term

    A statement by the Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum, C. I. D. Maduabum, said the forum’s chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed recalled that the Bayelsa governor recorded a resounding victory in last November 11 re-election.

    “The feat is the Bayelsa people’s testimonial of your prosperity administration’s good governance in the past four years in various sectors.

    “The victory is also a request for continuity of more impactful developments in the state to further improve their lives,” he said.

    Also, a governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State in last year’s election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Festus Daumiebi, has urged Diri to ensure citizens’ participation across the political divides to build a better state and achieve accelerated development.

    In a statement yesterday, Daumiebi congratulated the governor and his deputy for their second term in office.

    “You have risen above the pedestrian and erect yourself as a statesman when you combine politics with a peaceful, humane, and all-embracing heart to the admiration of all Bayelsans,” he said.

  • Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has hailed the elders and people of the state for their stand against threats and intimidations during the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

    He said there were threats to lives of the people that refused to look the other way of the opposition, but noted that the people stood their ground to defend their mandate.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership Lecture/Book Presentation in Yenagoa.

    He said former President Goodluck Jonathan, elders and the people of the state stood by him.

    He said: “All leaders did what was expected both at home and abroad. This victory was not only because the governor worked hard, but also because the people knew what they wanted.

    “Peace and unity have eluded this state for some time; lives were being threatened because of those who failed to do the bidding of the other party. Now that we have come to enjoy some level of peace and unity, we will not want to lose it.

    “We could not achieve anything because we were so factionalised, hence a committee headed by the late Inatimi Rufus Spiff was set up and they went a long way to reconcile all the leaders and political stakeholders. We have no other home to go to apart from Bayelsa.

    “Once again Niger Delta has to sit up, it is not yet Uhuru. We will give our support to the development of the state.”

    Diri said it is unfair for Bayelsa to have eight local governments “when all the resources come from here.”

    “Is that the country we want to continue to run?”

    Speaking further, he alleged that the Federal Government had carried away the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), claiming that most of the communities had gone into extinction and more were still being threatened because of the activities of the multi-national companies.

     Sunday Katung, said the people of the Niger Delta should reject being described as militants when they are fighting for what belongs to them.

    Katung decried the ecological problems in Bayelsa State and called for more attention both from the Federal Government and the international communities.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    He said: “To change this tide and put the Ijaw nation in its rightful place, there is need to take advantage that the global community offers in harnessing our human resources and addressing challenges.

    “This can be achieved by the networks of the relevant stakeholders, organised private sector, civil society organisation, mass media and other stakeholders towards raising the banner of advocacy and social responsibilities.”

    The Director General, ‘Yes Diri’, who is also the host, Gentle Emelah, said there is no better time than now to start the noble process of projecting the Ijaw Nation for Global Representation, even as the country is passing through its most turbulent times in history.

    Emelah, who is also the state commissioner for Education, said the essence was to truly and urgently challenge themselves to strengthen the building blocks that project the Ijaw nation for global representation.

    Speaking further, he said the theme of the lecture was purposely and painstakingly crafted to awaken, galvanise and harmonise the expertise, passion, entrepreneurial orientation and professional capacities of the Ijaw.

  • Diri confident of victory at tribunal

    Diri confident of victory at tribunal

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said efforts by some persons to stop his second term at the Election Petitions Tribunal failed before and will fail again.

    He spoke yesterday at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government at a memorial service for his father, Abraham Diri, who died last year.

    The governor will be sworn in tomorrow. He defeated Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came second in the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

    Diri said: “A tribunal that you wanted to rig and you were stopped from rigging, and we even accepted some of your fake results from Nembe-Bassambiri, and you are the one going to tribunal.

    Read Also: First Lady, Fagbemi, Marwa advise states on drug use prevention, treatment

    “You know what he is doing now? You know when people are fake they do fake things. They want to go and bring police results as it happened sometime somewhere. They are bringing police report. They are subpoenaing police commissioner to come and testify at the tribunal.

    “Is it police that give result or INEC? Fake people. We have crossed that bridge long time ago and everything they are doing we know and we keep quiet. All we do is to stop them and we will stop them again.”

    He attributed his election victory to God, saying: “We have a master strategist who is Master Jesus. We will stop them from rigging at the tribunal again.

    “If you want to subpoena anybody, subpoena the Independent National Electoral Commission because they are the ones who prepare the results, the police are there for security.”

    Vowing to be serious and follow up on all issues at the Election Petitions Tribunal, Diri said: “I will follow them ‘bumper to bumper’.”

  • Wigwe’s death shocking, unbelievable, says Diri

    Wigwe’s death shocking, unbelievable, says Diri

    Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, says he is still grappling with the reality of the tragic and sudden death of the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe.

    Diri, in a condolence statement issued by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah, described Wigwe as a dear friend and brother, who understood what friendship and brotherhood meant.

    He said Wigwe’s death was a personal loss, saying their friendship was mutual, cordial, and brotherly.

    Diri noted that the consummate banker and businessman carved a niche for touching lives and bringing dreams to reality.

    He recalled how Wigwe through Access Bank positively impacted youths in Bayelsa by partnering with the government to organise the maiden edition of the state’s sports festival in 2023, noting that his life of philanthropy was exemplary.

    Read Also: Diri urges youths on entrepreneurship as 186 graduate from ATTEC

    Diri also said the harrowing effect of Wigwe’s demise was how it would affect those whose dreams and aspirations were connected to him.

    While commiserating with the Wigwe’s family, the family of his late wife as well as the management and staff of Access Bank Plc, he said his state, Rivers, the south-south and indeed Nigeria lost an illustrious son.

  • Bayelsa agog for Diri’s second term inauguration

    Bayelsa agog for Diri’s second term inauguration

    Bayelsa State residents are upbeat as events marking the second tenure inauguration of Governor Douye Diri kicked off yesterday with a thanksgiving service.

    Thousands of beautifully-dressed citizens thronged the state’s Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene in appreciation to God for the governor’s victory in the November 11, 2023 election.

    Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, will be sworn in for another term on Wednesday.

    Speaking during the thanksgiving service, the governor expressed gratitude to God for his victory in the poll, saying without His intervention, it would not have been possible.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that God delivered Bayelsa from the hands of those who wrongly used power.

    Diri thanked the people for standing by him throughout his first tenure and during the election.

    He said he would not rest on his first term achievements, but would do more in the next four years, while appealing for their usual support.

    Read Also: Diri urges youths on entrepreneurship as 186 graduate from ATTEC

    Former Acting Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Werinepere Seibarugu, ex-Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) and member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Fred Agbedi, who spoke on behalf of the House of Representatives Caucus, described the governor’s victory as divine and lauded his performance in his first tenure.

    Presiding Overseer of the House of Grace International Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, said Diri was chosen by God who chooses leaders.

    Dignitaries in attendance included wife of former president, Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, the lawmaker representing Kaduna South, Sunday Katung, Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce, as well as Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere and members of the state legislature.

    Other National Assembly members and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, were also present, as well as service commanders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

  • Diri urges youths on entrepreneurship as 186 graduate from ATTEC

    Diri urges youths on entrepreneurship as 186 graduate from ATTEC

    Bayelsa State Governor has indicated his administration’s readiness to partner Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, on skills acquisition and vocational training programmes to create a critical mass of middle-class and higher manpower to drive the local economy.

    Diri made this known yesterday while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the Certification Ceremony of the Smart House A-Z Vocational Training Programme at the AfricanTide Technical and Educational Centre (ATTEC) in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor said his administration was making deliberate efforts at giving hands-on skills training to the youths because of its belief in the indispensability of the human capital.

    He charged the 186 graduates who trained in Quartia, Sting, Plumbing, among other vocations, not to relax on their laurels but be passionate about acquiring more knowledge in their various fields to further improve themselves.

    While promising them starter-packs, Diri cautioned them to resist the temptation of selling off their work tools, but rather use them judiciously to generate income for themselves and become employers of labour.

    The Governor, who commended the German partners, the ATTEC Academy and Gregory University for their contributions towards producing the first set of graduates of the programme, promised to take the partnership a notch higher.

    “To all the graduates, who are receiving certification today, you should know that the skills you have acquired is your seed. If you eat your seed by not putting your skills into work, you will certainly go back to where you were before,” Diri admonished.

    Earlier, the Founder of AfricanTide, Dr RosaLyn Dressman, equally acknowledged that Governor Diri’s intervention and support actually brought relief and a renewed sense of purpose to the programme.

    She vouched for the capacity and proficiency of the graduands who were trained in the German-modelled vocational education but appealed to the government to provide the beneficiaries with starter-packs to enable them to start off as entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

    Dressman, while congratulating the graduates, said the success recorded was a path paved with enormous challenges, adorned with hope and unwavering commitment to better individuals with technical education.

    Read Also: Police kill notorious kidnappers destroy camps in Abuja

    She applauded the partners which include the Bayelsa State Government, the Gregory University, Uturu, the AfricanTide Association of Nigeria and the German government and others whom she said had been instrumental to creating an environment where learning thrives and potential realized.

    She listed some of the courses the students graduated from as plumbing, catering, Solar energy management and marketing, electricals, ICT, Smart Housing A-Z and carpentry.

    She said: “The people who graduated here today are multi-talented because of the educational method we use like it is used in Germany, where students can major in two different things like Solar energy management and marketing.”

    Delivering the convocation charge, the Vice Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, Prof. Augustine Uwakwe, urged the graduands to effectively demonstrate the expertise they had acquired, and be good ambassadors of Bayelsa and all the institutions that played a role in their training.

    He thanked the state government for keeping faith with the programme and promised that Gregory University would create an enabling opportunity for beneficiaries to study further to obtain a degree in their chosen fields through the University’s Diploma Conversion Programme (DCP).

  • Ijaw group to Diri: stop campaign of calumny against Sylva

    Ijaw group to Diri: stop campaign of calumny against Sylva

    The Ijaw Renaissance Movement (IRM) has lambasted Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his administration for allegedly wasting billions of the state’s money sponsoring a campaign of calumny against a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    The group in a statement signed yesterday by its spokesperson, Monovie Paul, said the pattern and style of the campaign were designed to create bad blood between Sylva and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as other key officials of the Presidency.

    Paul recalled that during the campaign ahead of the Bayelsa governorship election, Diri and his cohorts bankrolled a number of sinister propaganda to pit Sylva against some key presidential officials.

    “But after the election, knowing that Sylva, who is the candidate of the APC, has a good case at the tribunal against Governor Diri, they have started again to see whether they can truncate the relationship between Sylva and President Tinubu,” Paul alleged.

    He said the latest of such propaganda was their attempt to attribute an article written by a scholar, John Idumange, against the economic policies of President Tinubu, to Sylva.

    He said: “John Idumange, who is neither a member of the APC nor a spokesperson for Sylva, acting on his own in 2023, wrote a piece against the economic policies of Tinubu. But just recently, Diri and his cohorts rehashed the same article and attributed it to Sylva.

    Read Also: How Diri changed Bayelsa’s narrative – Seiyaibo

    “Such mischievous act has an underlining sinister motive of creating non-existing enmity between Sylva and the Presidency. It is orchestrated out of desperation by Diri to curry presidential favour and subtly seek support to manoeuver justice.”

    Paul said such desperation had collapsed like a pack of cards, noting that Sylva had never at any time criticised any aspect of Tinubu’s economic policies.

    He said: “In any case, who did Diri work for during the election? It is on record that Diri and his bunch of prosperity politicians did not support a Southern Presidency. He was among the Southern governors, who even betrayed a Southern presidential aspirant in his party, who was then the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike.

    “Governor Diri wanted another northerner in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to take over power after former President Muhammadu Buhari. Even when Wike and his group of integrity governors in PDP resisted another northern presidency, Diri was bankrolling Atiku to take over power.

    “Sylva galvanised and mobilised the people of the state to vote for Tinubu. Despite all efforts of Diri to truncate Tinubu’s victory, our president still won at the polls. Now the same Diri is trying to cut a deal with same Presidency he never supported. We have it on good authority that Diri is among the governors still supporting Atiku ahead of the 2027 election.”

    Paul called on Diri to stop wasting Bayelsa resources.

    He said he should allow justice to take its course, adding that deploying the state funds under any guise to disrupt justice would not work.

  • How Diri changed Bayelsa’s narrative – Seiyaibo

    How Diri changed Bayelsa’s narrative – Seiyaibo

    On February 14, 2024, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State will be sworn in for his second term in office. Assessing the governor’s first term in office, Dr. Carl M. Seiyaibo, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Bayelsa statekholder, in this interview with Oluwatosin Ojo, speaks on Diri’s performance and the preparedness of the people to celebrate his second coming.

    In less than a month, Governor Douye Diri will be sworn in for a second term in office. What is the atmosphere in the state?

    People are looking forward to the occasion with joy and great anticipation. It will be an exciting moment with joy in our hearts. Diri is a man of peace, a man with a vision, god-fearing, a team player and a man that has a clear vision to take Bayelsa to the next level of development. So, trust Bayelsans, we will all roll out our traditional drums and attires to celebrate the governor who have positively changed the development narratives of the state for good. Let me re-assure you that, it will be going to be a momentous occasion that will be celebrated by all Bayelsans, friends and captains of industry, regardless of any perceived politically divide.

    How would you describe the election that gave the governor a second term and previous governorship elections in the state?

    The last governorship election was a mark of acceptance of the governor’ by the people despite the tension that initially enveloped the state and the perceived betrayals from his party faithful. However, his enviable performance, the resourceful application of the state resources and the peace, calmness and his love to Bayelsans and her inhabitants stood him out and repositioned him in an advantageous and saleable position. I know the people are happy with him. Diri is a product of providence and he has not disappointed the people of the state for their absolute confidence reposed on him. His re-election represents the collective vote of confidence of the people that was expressed at the poll. Certainly, some people may have their own opinions, but I can say that 90 percent of Bayesians are happy with the developmental strides of the governor which culminated into his re-election victory. Majority of the people have put their trust in his leadership and voted him for another term.

    Bayelsa is seen as a politically volatile state and a centre of agitations that raise security concerns. In the past four years, how did Diri cope with these issues?

    Let me correct this wrong impression about security concerns and agitations in Bayelsa State. The issue of security is a global context and not limited to a particular part of the country. Every geographical zone has one form of security challenges and risks. Yes, I agree that Bayelsa is in the forefront of the agitation for a fair deal for oil producing states in the country. It is a legitimate and comprehensive action to address the age-long maltreatment of the people of the region which started with Major Isaac Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa. Ijaw Youths Council, Pro-Resource Control by Late Dr. DSP Alamiyeseigha which culminated to the creation of Rivers State and subsequently the amnesty deal.

    Bayelsa is not a politically-volatile state, but one that was driven by few politically greedy elements, especially of the opposition division that was always machinated by desperation. The volatility is also promoted by the off-cycle nature of the governorship election where Federal powers and other anti-democratic vices were deployed. However, currently the tale has changed as federal government has displayed disdain for anti-democratic practices. Note that the Diri’ unique personality, humility, focused nature and peaceful disposition is re-writing Bayelsa political story. He is like a dove, a symbol of peace.  Immediately he took over as governor of the state, there was no doubt he came with a clear vision of a security plan that has ensured peace and tranquillity.

    The first step he took was promoting community policing. Young men and women were conscripted into town security outfit called Bayelsa Vigilante Group. They work hand in hand to complement the conventional police force in tackling security matters.

    Let me state this for the records, based on verifiable facts, Bayelsa is not only the most peaceful state in the South-South, but the most peaceful in the whole country. This feat can only be achieved by a leader who has the political will and the commitment to enthroning peace and security which are fundamental to the general development of the state.

    Critics of the government are of the opinion that in the past four years, it performed below expectations given the huge resources that accrued to the state.  What is your take?

    That is being peddled by arm chair critics. Those who would never see anything good in other people will continue to trade on unfounded facts. Definitely, everybody cannot admire the face of the governor, but it doesn’t in any way represent the views of vast majority of the people of the state. The governor has performed excellently and creditably well and I assumed that it is beyond the expectations of many in the state. Let me give you few instances of the signature projects which are life transforming, apart from the huge monthly wage bill that eat deeply into the state monthly allocation of which many do not consider when making analysis.

    I challenge anybody that is willing, to take a tour of project sites and see the massive infrastructure revolution going on across the nooks and crannies of the state. The ambitious road projects across the three senatorial districts are there for people to see. We have the Ekeremor – Sagbama Road. It may interest you to know that within his three years in office, he has constructed seven bridges on this road. Do you know how capital intensive to construct roads in our terrain? Huge funds are always committed to the construction of the roads could have transformed some states infrastructurally substantially and could earn them awards.

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    Let us also talk about the Yenagoa – Oporoma-Ukubie Road in the Bayelsa Central which was on the drawing board for years. Then, we also talk about the Nembe – Brass Road in Bayelsa East Senatorial District. These are projects that will give succour to rural dwellers, whose communities were hitherto accessible only by boats. Note that Bayelsa is 75 percent marine, the people are in a state of excitement as the construction works are advancing, as they will soon be connected to land travel. All these will enhance the socioeconomic life of the people.

    Is that enough to justify his performance?

    There are other key projects which are yet to be mentioned. There are other dual carriage roads which were started by his predecessors and completed by the Diri administration. The state capital, Yenagoa, was almost a one-way road. Today he has changed that narrative. The outer ring road linking Yenagoa, Elebele to the gateway at Igbogbene has drastically reduced the state capital traffic challenges. Let me also mention the road to Igbedi, a rural community in the riverine area of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA. The completion and construction of over seventy internal roads in Yenagoa, as well as several roads in the rural areas for them to feel the dividends of democracy and good governance.

    These are all part of the component of the government’s resolve to bring development to the rural areas in line with its policy on integrated rural development. These are life transforming signature projects that have impacted positively on the lives of Bayelsans.

    I have said it times without number that there is no administration in the history of Bayelsa State that has impacted on rural areas as much as Senator Diri has done. I don’t believe in praise singing, these are verifiable facts. Let me tell you this too, in the area of education, the governor has invested hugely, believing that education is the key to develop and transform the state. However, it is already yielding positive results, as several courses in the state-owned Niger Delta University, School of Nursing, College of Health Technology, College of Education and the state polytechnic have been accredited objectively to grow specialty areas of human capacity. This is as a result of the huge resources invested in the infrastructure and academic concerns of these institutions.

    Let me also mention the massive rehabilitation of primary and post primary schools across state. This is in addition to building eight technical colleges at a go in the eight LGAs in the state. You will agree with me that the technical colleges will serve as a springboard for the acquisition of technical skills for self-reliance and economic prosperity which is a basis for what professor W.W. Rostow would describe as economic take off. So, even the blind can see that Governor Diri is laying a strong foundation for sustainable development of the state. Bayelsans have all the reasons to come out enmass with their traditional drums to celebrate Governor Douye Diri come February 14, 2024. He is our valentine governor and a divine gift to the people of Bayelsa State.

    He has also laid the regulatory and institutional framework to drive the developmental fundamentals of the State. Based on such, key policies, guidelines and programmes has been developed of which his annual budgets and other related functionalities are hinged on to propel the state developmental activities to the envisioned destination.

  • Prepare your handover notes, Diri tells commissioners, others

    Prepare your handover notes, Diri tells commissioners, others

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has directed members of the state executive council (Exco) to begin to prepare their handover notes, as his first term in office winds down.

    Diri will be sworn in for another term on February 14.

    He gave the directive yesterday during the 126th state executive council meeting inside the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.

    The governor asked them to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their handover notes, to achieve a smooth transition to his second term.

    He hailed his Exco members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years.

    Diri noted that the achievements recorded by his administration in its first term were collective and not an exclusive preserve of himself or his deputy.

    He advised them to continue to contribute their best till the end of the term.

    Diri said: “As you are aware, our administration is winding down its first tenure and I know you will not wait for me to tell you to start preparing your handover notes. I believe some of you have started from last year. At the end of the day, everybody will see what you have done.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Gov Diri tells cabinet members to prepare handover notes

    “I want to commend you for the selfless service you have rendered in the last four years and as you prepare your notes, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So, for future purposes, those who will take over or even if you are continuing, you will be guided.

    “I commend you for the spirit of oneness, unity and love we all saw in this executive council. That is why we have achieved so much under these four years. This is why the people said this government must come back for the next four years.

    “It was not an exclusive preserve of myself as governor or my deputy governor. Yes, we led the pack, but all of you contributed very well to the successes we have recorded in infrastructure, education, health, sports, security and even in the judiciary.

    “So on behalf of the deputy governor, I say a big thank you to this state executive council. We have not dissolved the Exco yet and today is not the last day.”

    Earlier, the council held a valedictory session for a late former Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Steven Ogullah.

    Diri said it was the policy of his administration to honour Exco members that served meritoriously.

    He, however, said he would propose an amendment to the policy to ensure that only those who served the state without blemish would be honoured.

    Diri described the late Finance commissioner as a dedicated man, who gave his all to the service of the state and that he would be greatly missed.

    He said even out of office, Ogullah remained committed to service to the state, as he was very supportive of his administration until his last days.

  • JUST IN: Gov Diri tells cabinet members to prepare handover notes

    JUST IN: Gov Diri tells cabinet members to prepare handover notes

    Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, has directed members of the state executive council to begin to prepare their handover notes as his first term in office winds down.

    Diri will be sworn in for another term on February 14, 2024.

    He gave the directive on Wednesday, January 24, during the 126th state executive council meeting inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa.

    The governor asked them to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their handover notes in order to achieve a smooth transition to his second term.

    He commended his cabinet members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years.

    He noted that the achievements recorded by his administration in its first term was collective and was not an exclusive preserve of himself or his deputy.

    He urged them to continue to contribute their best till the end of the term.

    Diri said: “As you are aware, our administration is winding down its first tenure and I know you will not wait for me to tell you to start preparing your handover notes. I believe some of you have started from last year. At the end of the day, everybody will see what you have done.

    “I want to commend you for the selfless service you have rendered in the last four years and as you prepare your notes, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So, for future purposes, those who will take over or even if you are continuing, you will be guided.

    “I commend you for the spirit of oneness, unity and love we all saw in this executive council. That is why we have achieved so much under this four years. That is why the people said this government must come back for the next four years. 

    “It was not an exclusive preserve of myself as governor or my deputy governor. Yes, we led the pack but all of you contributed very well to the successes we have recorded in infrastructure, education, health, sports, security and even in the judiciary.

    “So on behalf of the deputy governor, I say a big thank you to this state executive council. We have not dissolved the cabinet yet and today is not the last day.”

    Earlier, the council held a valedictory session for a late former Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Steven Ogullah. 

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    Diri said it was the policy of his administration to honour exco members that served meritoriously.

    He, however, said he would propose an amendment to the policy to ensure that only those who served the state without blemish would be honoured.

    Diri described the late finance commissioner as a dedicated man, who gave his all to the service of the state and that he would be greatly missed. 

    He said even out of office, Ogullah remained committed to service to the state as he was very supportive of his administration until his last days.