Ruth NWORIE
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Saturday commended Douye Diri as he marked six years in office as Governor of Bayelsa State.
The governor observed the anniversary with a thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa.
The event was low-key in honour of the late deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Speaking at the service, Ogbuku congratulated Diri and members of his cabinet, describing the administration as one that has entrenched peace and stability in the state.
“One legacy that no one can take away from you is the enthronement of peace and stability. Your administration has also ensured the amalgamation of all political parties into one. I pray God that you will finish strong,” Ogbuku said.
In his goodwill message, Lokpobiri described Diri’s emergence as governor as divinely orchestrated, insisting that no individual should claim credit for his rise to office.
He said: “I am very happy to be here to celebrate your sixth year in office. A lot of people may not know why you are called the ‘Miracle Governor.’ You are in fact one of the few miracles I have seen in my life.
“As I listened to the preacher, what he said about Psalm 127 was very instructive concerning what happened to us in the All Progressives Congress before today. He said except the Lord builds, the man who builds does so in vain. We in APC then built in vain.
“Just like what the Bible says, no matter what you do, the Lord gives power to whoever He wants. So no man can ascend to any office without God.
“I say so because myself, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief David Lyon, and all of us were building, thinking that APC would take over Bayelsa in 2015. But because God was not building with us, we built in vain.
“Today, under your leadership, all of us are gathered here. That is why I am saying it in church here that no matter what you do, it is God that gives power to whoever he wants. So nobody should claim that he made you governor. Only God made you governor.”
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Diri appreciated Bayelsans and other arms of government for their support over the past six years, noting that their cooperation contributed to the administration’s achievements.
His words: “All we need to do is to unite and harness the human and material resources that abound in our state for our collective benefits. Bayelsa is so blessed with oil and gas and so much more.
“Now we are changing the narrative about Bayelsa’s difficult terrain by building roads to open up our hinterland and connecting communities and we are still awarding more contracts.
“God had a plan for bringing me to the APC from the PDP. Let us keep uniting and speak with one voice and we pray that God will bring another God-fearing leader that will perform better than me.”
The thanksgiving service was attended by political leaders, traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly from the state, and other top government functionaries.
