Obasanjo: Bayelsa  Stable, Making Good Progress Under Diri

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has showered encomium on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for what he described as sterling performance, saying the state is making significant strides in all areas of development.

 He particularly commended the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, which he said has contributed to the peace, security, and political stability in Diri’s leadership.

Obasanjo stated this yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa.

The 86-year-old former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa State 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 all other states in Nigeria, then we will have a good country.”

In his remarks, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the state.

Diri attributed his achieve-ments largely to the support and cooperation of Bayelsans and to divine grace.

According to him, “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 State. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes, and we thank God for His grace to do these things.”

He also appreciated leaders of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not traveled out of the country.

Also, the Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district and former state Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, appreciated Diri for sustaining the legacies of his administration, particularly the road projects, the annual thanksgiving, morning devotion in Government House, and the monthly praise night.

Dickson said he was a fulfilled man because he successfully handed over power without rancour, and that the state is 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’.

Pastor Muoka described Bayelsa State as a blessed land where God had bestowed mineral resources that are the economic live-wire of the country.

He lauded the government and the people of the state for setting aside a special thanksgiving day to appreciate God for His blessings upon the state.

In another development, Obasanjo inaugurated the second phase of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie senatorial road from Igeibiri to Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The former president applauded the developmental efforts of President Jonathan, who started the project as well as Senator Dickson for continuing it.

According to him, “That is the importance of continuity, and if you have a horse that is winning in a race, there is no need to change it” in reference to Governor Diri’s second term bid.

He also flagged off the construction of the Angiama-Oporoma-Ukubie section with a spur to the Otuan community.