Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has praised Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for his sterling performance.
He said the state is making progress in all sectors of the economy.
Chief Obasanjo hailed the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
He spoke yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa.
The former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa that you have to cherish is peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.
“You have security. Peace without security is no peace. Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.
“If what is happening here is replicated in other states in Nigeria, then we will say we have a good country”.
Governor Diri thanked Chief Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the state.
He attributed his achievements to the support and cooperation of ‘Bayelsans’ and divine grace.
The governor said: “Bayelsans want peace and development. The former governor laid the foundation upon which we are building and everybody who comes to the state acknowledges the peace and security. So, we cannot go back to the era of violence, impunity and brigandage. The essence of government is to bring peace, development and progress.
“Today, we have added value to the development of Bayelsa. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes and we thank God for His grace to do these things”.
He appreciated leaders of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not travelled out of the country.
The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, appreciated Diri for sustaining the legacies of his administration, particularly road projects, annual thanksgiving, morning devotion at the Government House and monthly praise night.
He said he was a fulfilled man because he successfully handed over power without rancour and the state was peaceful and on the path of development.
The guest preacher, Pastor Lazarus Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen, Charismatic Revival Movement, delivered a sermon with the theme: “Blessed Are You”.
He described Bayelsa as a blessed land, to which God gave mineral resources.
Chief Obasanjo inaugurated the second phase of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie senatorial road from Igeibiri to Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government.
The former president lauded the developmental efforts of Dr. Jonathan, who started the project as well as Senator Dickson for continuing it.
