Oborevwori Joins Diri for Fifth Anniversary Thanksgiving in Bayelsa
YENAGOA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday, joined other dignitaries at the fifth-anniversary thanksgiving service of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in Yenagoa.
Oborevwori, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, actively participated in the thanksgiving service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The event attracted top dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, as well as members of the National Assembly, among others.
The thanksgiving service, which featured renowned Ghanaian preacher, Dr. Otabil Mensah, as the guest speaker, highlighted Governor Diri’s achievements in infrastructural development, including the completion of major projects and the ongoing construction of the Bayelsa Central road to Oporoma, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Diri disclosed that with federal support, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East would commence, while the ongoing first phase would be 90 percent completed by year-end.
He also announced plans to construct a 25,000-seat FIFA-standard stadium, which former President Jonathan is expected to inaugurate on Monday, alongside a nine-storey secretariat complex for civil servants.
In the education sector, the governor revealed that his administration had built and equipped five science and technical colleges, with directives to ensure all local government areas benefit from the initiative.
Addressing the state’s epileptic power supply, Diri assured residents that the arrival of 60MW gas turbines, worth $60 million, would provide 24-hour independent electricity across Bayelsa State by year-end.
Vice President Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Tope Fasua, lauded Bayelsa’s economic progress, diversification efforts in agriculture and sports, and infrastructural growth, including the commencement of commercial flights at the Bayelsa International Airport.
He also praised Diri’s policy reforms, particularly the introduction of an N80,000 minimum wage for state workers, and noted that Bayelsa ranks ninth in Nigeria’s GDP and second in GDP per capita after Lagos.
In his sermon titled “Wisdom,” Dr. Otabil Mensah emphasized Africa’s spiritual and material wealth, urging leaders to embrace wisdom in governance rather than focusing prayers on personal adversaries.
Other dignitaries at the event included Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and former Rivers State Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George.
Also in attendance were ex-Military Administrators of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (Rtd) and Colonel Edor Obi (Rtd), alongside former Acting Governor Werinipere Seibarugu, and former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi.
The event was also graced by Senators Sunday Katung, Konbowei Benson, Benson Agadaga, and members of the House of Representatives, including Dr. Fred Agbedi, Marie Ebikake, Rodney Ambaiowei, and Oforji Oboku.
Others present were Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmond Daukoru.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and other top government officials were also in attendance.
