February 18, 2025

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You’ve Made Bayelsa Proud, Diri Tells 2023 Time Magazine Awardee

3 min read

 

 

 

Edith CHUKU

 

 

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has congratulated the Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital at Okolobiri, Prof. Dimie Ogoina.

 

Diri gave this congratulatory message, on Monday, when Ogoina, a recipient of the Time Magazine “2023 100 Most Influential Persons in the World” accompanied by members of the central planning committee for celebrating the recipient, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

 

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The governor who was overwhelmed awarded a N40 million research grant to Ogoina, stressing that he has not only made Bayelsa proud, but Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

 

Diri, who applauded Ogoina for his dedication to duty, noted that he was instrumental to the few deaths recorded in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world in 2020.

 

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Commending the infectious disease physician-scientist for his achievement, the governor said, “The moment I assumed office (in February 2020), we had COVID-19 outbreak. Prof. Ogoina was up and doing. His work ethics were second to none.

“I am not surprised that he has been recognized. Part of why we didn’t record several deaths in Bayelsa was as a result of the leadership he gave, working with the Ministry of Health.

 

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“You have made our state proud. The state government hereby commits itself to a research grant for you to the tune of N40 million. We know you will bring more honour to Bayelsa.

 

“Let me on behalf of the Prosperity Government and the good people of Bayelsa State congratulate you for this feat you achieved. It is not a mean feat to be so recognized internationally. You are a proud son of Bayelsa, Kolokuma/ Opokuma, of Nigeria, and indeed Africa.”

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Diri further explained that, “The story about Prof. Ogoina is well-known. All that have worked with him attest to the fact that he sticks to his work regardless of the environment he finds himself.”

 

 

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, said the awardee was worth celebrating due to his achievements in healthcare administration, noting that the adoption of his advised protocol saved many Nigerians from death during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

In his remarks, the ‘Time Magazine 100 Most Influential Persons in the World’ recipient attributed the recognition and award to not just his diligence but also the grace of God, saying his story was an inspiration to many as he singlehandedly carried out the research at Okolobiri in 2017.

 

Ogoina stated that his discovery was the route of transmission of the monkey pox disease.

 

Also speaking, secretary of the Ogoina celebration committee, Dr. Aseima Namara, stated that the world was beginning to look at Bayelsa positively as a result of the recipient’s achievements.

 

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He said the NDUTH CMD was worth celebrating due to his hard work and dedication to duty.

 

Namara also commended the Diri administration for its achievements in the health sector and appealed for support for a one-week programme in honour of the awardee tagged: “Festival of Grace and Hard Work.”

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