By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State government has expressed appreciation to members of the various sub-committees, critical and political stakeholders and the people of the state for the successful and colourful celebration of the state’s 30th anniversary.
The deputy governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, conveyed the appreciation on behalf of the governor, Senator Douye Diri, at government house, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, during a meeting with chairmen and members of the various sub-committees set up for the planning and execution of the four-day anniversary programme.
Akpe, who described the celebration as a defining moment in the life and history of the state, thanked former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, members of the National Assembly from the state and beyond, and the family of the late General Sani Abacha for actively participating in the programmes.
He also commended the eight local government chairmen and their Rural Development Authority, RDA, counterparts, as well as the entire people of the state for rallying behind the government to make the anniversary memorable and colourful, noting that it signalled a new era of unity, development and progress.
The deputy deputy governor thanked God for the clement weather witnessed throughout the period, with no reported cases of fighting, dissension or accidents linked to the celebration, noting that when God is involved, He arranges everything to work smoothly.
His words: “We thank the Almighty God who has given us the grace and privilege to be alive to witness the 30th anniversary of our dear state.
“Nothing happens by coincidence; it is planned by God. That we are the ones here in the 30th year of the creation of Bayelsa is not by any form of coincidence.
“We just want to appreciate everybody for keying in. I believe it was clear to the whole world, first to all of us, that God loves Bayelsa.
“All the testimonies are clear concerning this programme. First is the weather. When we were talking about this programme, a lot of people were sceptical; they were thinking that the rains would drive us into umbrellas or canopies and would distort the flow of the programme. We saw God in action.
“We also saw unity and synergy. A lot of us who had not seen ourselves for a long time saw ourselves once again in the celebration. In such a mammoth gathering, we didn’t see any fighting, boxing or casualties of any kind all through the events.
“We have to appreciate His Excellency the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for giving his approval and directive for the anniversary celebration.
“We have to also express our profound appreciation to our leader, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, who were with us all through the programme.
“We want to also appreciate all the people who came from far and near, especially members of the diplomatic corps, members of the National Assembly from the state and from other states in the country.”
The meeting was attended by the Leader of the House, Mr. Monday Edwin-Obolo; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer; Acting Chief of Staff, government house, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.
Also in attendance were commissioners and other top government functionaries, amid presentation of reports by chairmen of the various sub-committees for the 30th anniversary programme.
