Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said citizens of the state have numerous reasons to be thankful to God Almighty despite its challenges and that of the country.
Speaking at the Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, Yenagoa, during the 13th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving, Governor Diri
said November 2 was enshrined in the laws of the state as a day of memorial beginning from 2012 under the immediate past administration of Senator Seriake Dickson.
He, however, noted the gathering was not as a result of legal obligation but out of profound gratitude to God for his goodness to the state.
He said the 13th edition was special after God granted him and his deputy victory in the last governorship election and throughout the legal battles.
Diri thanked people of the state for standing by him and his deputy, saying without them his administration would not have recorded the successes so far achieved.
He expressed gratitude to God that this year’s flood was not as devastating in the state as predicted after what was experienced in 2022.
He also said that another reason to be thankful was the peace and security in Bayelsa and appreciated the support of service commanders working closely with the government to maintain the peace.
On the issue of electricity that had been cut off in the state for three months due to the activities of vandals, the Bayelsa helmsman explained that though the transmission infrastructure were the property of the Federal Government, Bayelsans were the ones feeling brunt and his administration had to step in with funds the address the situation, assuring that power would be restored soon.
He stated that the darkness had to propel the government to hasten its independent power plant project, which will soon come to fruition.
His words: “November 2 was enshrined in our laws as a day of memorial under the Restoration Government of my predecessor, His Excellency Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. Today, we have gathered again not out of legal obligation, but with hearts full of gratitude and genuine appreciation for the Lord’s profound presence in our lives – that presence that transforms adversity into rejoicing and defeat into triumph.
“No matter your condition, thank God. Today’s thanksgiving is special because God gave me and my deputy victory in last year’s election, and it was Bayelsa that became victorious. We had a protracted legal battle after the victory and we still emerged victorious.
“We are also thankful to God that contrary to predictions, this year’s flood was not as devastating as expected.
“I like to apologise for the darkness we have experienced in the state this past three months. It was the duty of the Transition Company of Nigeria to fix the damaged power infrastructure but we intervened because our people are suffering. Anytime from now power will be restored. But, importantly, we are in the process of having our own independent power plant.
“Let me also appreciate all the service commanders that are here for working with the government to maintain peace and security.”
Delivering a sermon, the General Overseer of Royal House of Grace, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, expressed gratitude to God for using the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, to create the state, saying that was the foundation for the development and happiness of all Bayelsans.
He described thanksgiving as a necessity for humans, saying everything must not be perfect before God is appreciated.
Dignitaries at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan represented by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, immediate past governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, former military administrators of the state. Col. Edor Obi (rtd) and Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd).
Also in attendance were two former governors of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and Chief Rufus Ada-George, serving and former National Assembly members, Head of the Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson Jack, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commision, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and one of his predecessors, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe.
Others were former Deputy Governors Peremobowei Ebebi and Werinipre Seibarugu, religious leaders, chairman of the state’s traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo and other royal fathers as well as musician Inetimi Odon popularly called Timaya.
Ministration was by Joe Praise, the Bayelsa State Mass Choir and the Royal House of Grace Mass Choir.
