Bayelsa At 30: Gov Diri Commends Late Gen. Abacha For Creating Bayelsa State, Honours 63 Nigerians
By: Our Correspondent
The Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, has paid glowing tribute to former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha, for creating Bayelsa State on October 1, 1996.
Governor Diri said Gen. Abacha deserved continuous commendation for freeing the Ijaw people from oppression and injustice.
He spoke at the Dinner and Awards Night marking the 30th anniversary of the state, tagged “Celebrating Legacies”, held at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
The grand finale, which climaxed the four-day celebration, attracted dignitaries including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, members of the Abacha family — Alhaji Abba Abacha and Alhaja Fatima Gumsu Abacha — members of the National Assembly, the diplomatic community, business leaders and top government officials.
At the event, 63 distinguished Nigerians were conferred with state honours.
Top on the list were late Gen. Sani Abacha, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, former military administrators of the state — late Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), Navy Captain Phillip Ayeni (rtd), Police Commissioner Habu Daura (rtd) and Col. Edor Obi (rtd) — as well as immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Governor Diri said repeatedly mentioning Abacha’s name was deliberate.
His words: “General Abacha might mean different things to different people, but to Bayelsans, he is the one who freed us from oppression. He freed us from injustice and gave a homogeneous state to a people that had been balkanised into various states, making us a minority in some.
“We cannot thank General Abacha enough. Please take our appreciation back home to your mother,” he told the Abacha family.
Justifying the celebration, Diri said the journey from zero infrastructure to a state with legacy projects, road networks and hope for the future was a testament to the vision of its founding fathers and the grace of God.
“At creation, Bayelsa had zero tertiary institutions, but today we boast over five. At inception, we had just a single-lane Mbiama-Yenagoa road, but today we have dualised highways and the three senatorial roads opening up the state,” he said.
Responding on behalf of awardees, former President Goodluck Jonathan dedicated his award to his late boss and political mentor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
Jonathan said though the state has not reached its desired destination, it has made tremendous progress and Bayelsans will forever remain grateful to late Gen. Abacha for creating the state.
Other recipients included Prof. Kay Williamson, Justice Koripamo David Ungbuku, Olympians Daniel Igali and Blessing Oborududu, former Super Eagles players Samson Siasia and Finidi George, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, late King Robert Ebizimor, Timaya, Timi Dakolo, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Prof. Ayebaemi Spiff, late Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, Prof. Youpele Beredugo, Chief Dan Etete, Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, Engr. Preye Berezi, Chief Ken Etete, King Ebitimi Banigo, Dr. Ephraim Faloughi, Chief Robert Enogha, the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe, late Gen. Owoeye Azazi, Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Ernest Ikoli and teenage chess sensation Deborah Quickpen, among others.
Dignitaries present included the Governor’s wives, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Ama-Diri, Deputy Governor Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and wife Dr. Favour Akpe, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, NDDC MD Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Customs Comptroller-General Alhaji Bashir Adeniyi, and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
