Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has rewarded seven children with scholarships for their selfless service to the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta during the flooding in the state last year.
The children, all residents of Igbogene community, host to the JTF base, are: Adamson Augustin; Desmond Steven; Favour James; Godwin Gideon; Glory Felix; Anita Felix, and Alade Prince.
At the end-of-year event of the JTF, code-named Operation Delta Safe in Yenagoa, Diri hailed the children’s efforts during a difficult moment when the state was at war with nature and needed every available help.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as commending the children for displaying the true Bayelsa spirit of being their brother’s keeper and called on others to emulate them.
He said it was heart-warming that the lads were part of the success story of the management of the flood, saying the scholarship was a reward for hard work.
Diri also praised the task force for its role in the prevailing peace and security in the state and commended the security agencies for their synergy and cooperation.
He noted that the synergy between the state government and the security agencies had contributed greatly to making Bayelsa one of the most peaceful and secure states.
The governor pledged the state government’s continuous support to the JTF and other federal agencies and urged them to continue to work hard for Nigeria’s unity and development.
The state’s helmsman advised the military to remain apolitical, especially as the next general election gets closer, saying such a stance will promote democracy and development.
He said: “For the children that have been part of the success story of the management of the flood, I want everyone to know that there is a reward for hard work.
“Those in primary schools will have the scholarship until they are through with secondary school while those in secondary school will have the scholarship up to university”.
Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan said that the get-together was conceived to appreciate God for the success achieved by the force in the outgoing year and provide an opportunity for the officers to relax with other members of the larger society.
Admiral Hassan said the task force was fulfilling its mandate to protect the oil and gas infrastructure of the country and lauded the state government for its support.
He expressed appreciation to the seven children in the host community, who he said supported the force greatly during the flood.
