Senator Duoye Diri came into office as Governor of Bayelsa State a few weeks after the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic in China. Covid-19 was a virus that was not on the regular catalogue of medical science. When it came like a wave, therefore, doctors were left flustered, and so were nurses. The disease took a quick toll on lives across the world, and its range of havoc was so sweeping that it left every human being in panic.
Presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens, princes and princesses, everyone, young and old, male and female, everyone was compelled to wear a mask over the face, lest they get infected and transmit the virus. Even the religious leaders set aside their faith, and complied. Even up in the air, inside every plane, you had to wear your mask.
Everyone was advised to keep a safe distance of two meters from each other, and social distancing became a norm at every public facility. At the airport, the banks, schools, in church, the mosque, and in the office, a conscious distancing from the next person was observed. It was routine to wash your hands with soap under running water, and rub disinfectants afterward. Motor vehicles carried fewer passengers, and so did tricycles. Public gatherings were on suspension. Even sporting events were kept on hold, at home and on the international arena. The world came under a frantic necessity to make personal hygiene a habit.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) came under pressure to rescue mankind from the onslaught of this mysterious, hydra-headed virus. Emergency medical teams were put together to undertake contingency plans to stop the spread of the virus, and the health sector came under great challenge. Governments made lavish budget proposals to tackle the menace of corona virus. Radio and television broadcasts were not complete except there was the latest news about the terror of every home. The rhetoric of the day was not complete without reference to Covid-19, the raging pandemic, cause of the worldwide lockdown.
Five years after, with the mask off the faces of one and all, the Bayelsa government recently had to cope with the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state, testing the health facilities put in place by government. James Sakurogha, a retired Director in the Ministry of Health, says government’s attention to the health sector has not been sustained since Covid-19, otherwise no one would be talking of cholera outbreak on the eve of the government’s five-year anniversary in office.
Reports of cholera outbreak in Nembe, Amassoma and Ekeremor were in the news for that reason. The government, says Sakurogha, dropped its guard too quickly, and needs to fortify the Bayelsa Health Insurance System started by the previous government, and maximise its benefits in the interest of the citizenry.
The Bayelsa State government, on its part, had good reason to draw up a one-week plan, during which it would proclaim its achievements in the last five years with appropriate pomp and pageantry. In a series of commissioning ceremonies that lasted seven days, the governor invited dignitaries from around the country to witness what he had done so far, and for visitors to give their frank assessment and observations. It did not come as a surprise that he began with the health sector. He invited his counterpart from Cross River State to commission key health facilities, and proclaim the good intentions of government to the people.
Diri also visited two schools, St Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, in the state capital, and the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, as a mark of concern for the education sector of the economy. The students of St Jude’s, assembled in entirety, were glad to welcome the Governor with one voice. For a moment, Diri recalled his days as a classroom teacher, and resolved to make things better for the school.
To start with, he expressed displeasure over the unbecoming state of facilities in public schools around the state, pointedly stating that the government’s budgetary provisions and expenditure in the education sector do not match the reality on ground. He promptly directed the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, to take immediate steps to upgrade dilapidated structures in schools across the state. At the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, the Governor noted the absence of sporting facilities, frowned at the uncompleted dining hall, and equally directed the Commissioner to ensure that the contractor returned to site.
He restated the commitment of his government to develop the education sector, given its importance to nation-building. The visit was a reminder that he should undertake more unscheduled visits to schools and other government departments to see things for himself from time to time.
Given the progress made by Bayelsa in external examinations such as the West African School Certificate Examination (WASC), and the National Examinations Council, the governor said it was necessary to put the right facilities in place to enable students perform better.
He said: ‘I am not satisfied with what I have seen. If schools in the motorable urban areas are in this state, what would those in the rural riverine communities be like? In this second tenure, I will pay unscheduled visits to our schools, hospitals and other important government agencies. I am not happy with the state of dilapidation I saw at St Jude’s. We must indeed strengthen supervision’.
The governor took one more stern look at the Commissioner for Education, and asked him to sit up and ensure rehabilitation work on public schools. He also directed that the completed basketball court be handed over to the school authorities at Saint Jude’s forthwith to encourage athletes in the school make Bayelsa proud again in basketball.
The highpoint of the visit came when the governor stood before the students in the classroom, as in times past, and taught government as a subject to senior secondary students at the Ijaw National Academy preparing for the up-coming WASC examination.
The fifth year anniversary of the Diri government also coincided with the second year memorial anniversary of the governor’s father, Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, a retired headmaster and lay reader at the Anglican Church, who passed away on 12 February 2023, at the age of 88. The first year remembrance event could not take place because it coincided with the inauguration of the governor for a second term.
Accordingly, Diri retreated to his hometown, Sampou in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area, and hosted a memorial service in honour of his father at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Describing his father as an epitome of humility, the governor said he would continue to remember his dad for inculcating positive virtues in him and his siblings, and for his efforts to make society a better place. He prayed that his own children would, in turn, leave a better society for their children.
The governor urged the people of Bayelsa, particularly politicians, to love one another and avoid acts capable of destabilizing the state. He equally advised youths not to be deceived into believing that joining a cult would make them achieve their aspirations. According to him, the only group to which he belonged in his younger days was God’s group.
‘We went to school in mud houses, but today we are handing over something better to our children. Our children will hand over something better to their own children. Society will continue to grow but if there is no peace, there will be no development. Our people should love one another. If the state is in constant division, the citizens will not feel at home again. Let us not pull down one another. Instead, let us support ourselves and make our state better’, he said.
Duoye’s second tenure with that of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, effectively began on 14 February 2024, shortly after the oath-taking and swearing-in ceremony at the Peace Park, Yenagoa. Amidst great jubilation, Senator Douye Diri promised the people of Bayelsan greater incentives and better dividends in the course of his second tenure, summed up in his ASSURED Prosperity Agenda.
Given the circumstances under which Diri emerged as Governor, many onlookers were quick to call him a Miracle Governor. Diri himself could only ascribe his emergence to the hand of God. His campaign slogan, In God We Trust, has continued to be repeated from day to day.
The biggest billboard at Tombia Roundabout proclaims this, constantly showing the image of the governor and his deputy on their knees. Optimists have continued to remind the governor since he came into office that he should live up to the appellation of Miracle Governor by embarking on projects that would bring about a miraculous change for the better in the lives of the people.
Be reminded that the fifth anniversary celebration of the government began with a three-week long project commissioning routine which began with the flag-off of a free medical outreach programme in the three senatorial districts. Shortly after the medical outreach flag-off, the team proceeded to Okaka in Yenagoa local government area, where the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu commissioned the high-profile Road 24 constructed by the Prosperity Government.
On the second day, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, the Co-ordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, eulogised the governor for his good works in the health sector. The Minister’s first point of call was the Haemodialysis Centre at the Bayelsa Medical University, along Imgbi Road, Yenagoa. From there, the team moved to the General Out-Patient Centre at the 350-bed hospital.
It was a long day that saw the Minister and other visiting guests proceed to Bayelsa Palm Road for the inauguration of Zipline Drone Flight Services. The Minister also commissioned a concrete access road to the Zipline facility for easy accessibility. The governor declared that Zipline Drones would be deployed to deliver drugs to far-flung communities in Bayelsa State.
On the third day, Diri danced out his heart at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, giving thanks to God for the progress of the prosperity government in the state. King David Zilly Aggrey, General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace, led a colourful flock of congregants in prayer and worship, consisting of grateful sons and daughters of Bayelsa as well as well-wishers from far and near. The man of God gave resounding prayers of gratitude on behalf of the government, asking for God’s wisdom to guide the governor and his Deputy for the next three years.
Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdurazak, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, was next in line to commission the Onuebum-Otueke Road in Ogbia Local Government Area. Abdurazak had nothing but commendation for Diri. Next came the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to commission the legislators quarters in the GRA axis of the New Yenagoa.
Traditional rulers in the state were equally full of praise for Diri on his fifth anniversary in office. King Joshua Igbugburu, pioneer Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, described the governor as humble and hard-working. Igbugburu lauded the governor for embarking on durable road projects connecting the three senatorial districts to the state capital, Yenagoa, believing that this will open up the hinterlands for greater economic benefits.
In like manner, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo had a lot to say about the performance of the Diri-Law government in the past five years. According to him, the government’s pledge to serve the people is reinforced by the Assured Prosperity mantra with which the governor returned from his Calabar retreat, following his victory for a second term in office. He expressed the hope that the Duoye’s relationship with the traditional institution will remain cordial, even in the days to come.
At the end of a vigorous tour of projects and commissioning ceremonies, the state government hosted a state banquet at the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall. A cross section of guests trooped in for relaxation, feasting and entertainment. The award-winning Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe was on stage to thrill the colourful audience. Spiced by a range of popular comedians and stand-up acts in the mould of Gordons, Berlusconi, and I Go Die, the night of jokes and laughter was brought to an end by the sensational performance of Bayelsa-born music star boy, Timi Dakolo, who got even the Governor on his feet, chanting the lyrics to the popular number, Amen.
Diri was not done with the anniversary celebrations yet. In a bid to transform the livelihood of individual families, the Governor invited one thousand sons and daughters of Bayelsa, and handed out starter packs of various descriptions through the Diri Skills Acquisition Empowerment Programme. Everywhere around the venue, there were smiles to be seen on the faces of beneficiaries. Not done with the commissioning of road infrastructure, Diri invited his Akwa-Ibom State counterpart, Pastor Umo Eno, to commission Road 2 in the New Yenagoa City.
The sport sector in the state came alive when the Governor pronounced the decision of his government to construct a world-class stadium at Igbogene. The ground breaking ceremony for the proposed 2,500 capacity stadium project was laid by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
With regard to power supply, the governor commissioned the power line station to the national grid connecting Ogboinbiri, Amatolo, Kabeama and Okunbiri communities. He equally proclaimed that the government would acquire a new turbine which would arrive the state capital in April, and begin to function by the end of 2025, capable of generating power around the state twenty-four hours every day.
What’s more, Diri also invited his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to underscore the labour-friendly status of the Bayelsa State government by commissioning the Nigeria Labour Congress, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, building, initiated and completed by the state government.
The governor further demonstrated his goodwill as a party man by enhancing the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, reaching out to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly with brand new jeeps. The fifth year anniversary also witnessed the formal commissioning of Phase 2 of the Opolo Road project.
With an emphasis on bequeathing legacy projects, the governor also invited a noble daughter of Bayelsa, Dame Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the proposed nine-storey secretariat project for civil servants.
The need to harness the potentials of the maritime economy of Bayelsa has never escaped the governor. For that reason, the administration established the Ministry of Blue Economy to explore the opportunities associated with the marine environment.
To further underscore government’s resolve to enhance the blue economy, the governor commissioned the Ekeremor-Agge road project which is expected to be of service to the prospective port in Agge. For full effect, he also commissioned the ICT Village Centre at the Central Business District of the New Yenagoa. A total of twelve classroom building blocks were also commissioned in Yenagoa metropolis.
As if to bring the relay of commissioning ceremonies to a close, the governor formally threw open the gates to a new Commissioners Quarters in a bid to secure the comfort and convenience of state cabinet members and other political appointees. In the days leading up to the fifth anniversary celebration week, the government had relocated every motor park along the road to the Bayelsa Central Motor Park at Igbogene, in a bid to decongest the capital city and enhance freedom of movement.
Well-meaning as all these may seem, independent analysts still hold reservations about the performance of the Diri-Law government in the last five years.
