Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the creation of Bayelsa State by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as a historic act that liberated the Ijaw people from oppression and injustice.
Diri made the assertion on Thursday night at the Dinner and Awards Night marking the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State, held at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
The anniversary, tagged “Celebrating Legacies,” was the grand finale of a four-day programme commemorating the creation of the state on October 1, 1996.
The governor said the Ijaw people would continue to appreciate Abacha for creating a homogeneous Ijaw state out of territories that had previously been divided among different states.
According to him, Abacha’s significance to Bayelsans was different from how the late military ruler might be perceived elsewhere.
“General Abacha might mean different things to different people, but to Bayelsans, he is the one who freed us from oppression.
“He freed us from injustice and gave a homogenous state for a people that had been balkanised into various states, and making us minority in some.”
Diri, who repeatedly acknowledged Abacha during his remarks, expressed gratitude to members of the late Head of State’s family who attended the ceremony, including his son, Alhaji Abba Abacha, and daughter, Hajia Fatima Gumsu Abacha.
He said Bayelsa’s progress over the past 30 years justified the anniversary celebration, noting that the state had transformed from having virtually no infrastructure at creation to developing road networks, educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
The governor said Bayelsa had no tertiary institution when it was created but now had more than five, including universities, polytechnics and a college of education.
He also noted that the state had moved from having only the single-lane Mbiama-Yenagoa road to a network of roads, dualised highways and three senatorial roads connecting different parts of the state.
“Do we talk about the healthcare transformation? So much has been done, and we can rightly say that Bayelsa had moved forward and no longer where it used to be,” Diri said.
A total of 63 individuals and institutions were honoured at the ceremony for their contributions to the creation, development and advancement of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw people.
Among the principal honourees were the late General Abacha, former President Goodluck Jonathan, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the late Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and former military administrators of the state.
The former military administrators honoured included the late Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, Navy Captain Phillip Ayeni, Police Commissioner Habu Daura and Colonel Edor Obi.
The immediate past governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, was also among the award recipients.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, former President Goodluck Jonathan dedicated his award to his late political mentor and former governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who brought him into politics as his deputy.
Jonathan said although some young people questioned what Bayelsa had to celebrate after 30 years, the state had recorded significant progress since its creation.
“Although we have not reached where we are supposed to be, I am happy where we are. I am happy that Bayelsa State was created, and we have gained tremendously,” he said.
Jonathan also expressed appreciation to Abacha for creating Bayelsa, describing the state as one of the six states created by the former military ruler.
“Bayelsans will always remain grateful to late Gen. Sani Abacha who made it possible for Bayelsa to be among the last six states he created,” he said.
He commended Governor Diri for organising the anniversary and recognising individuals who contributed to the creation and development of the state.
Other award recipients included former Ijaw National Congress President, Chief Joshua Fumudoh; linguist Prof. Kay Williamson; Olympians Daniel Igali and Blessing Oborududu; former Super Eagles players and coaches Samson Siasia and Finidi George; and musicians, including the late King Robert Ebizimor, Timaya and Timi Dakolo.
In education, recipients included Prof. Ayebaemi Spiff, the late Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa, Prof. Dimie Ogoina and Prof. Youpele Beredugo.
Bayelsa-born businessmen honoured included Chief Dan Etete, Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, Engr. Preye Berezi, Chief Ken Etete, King Ebitimi Banigo, Dr. Ephraim Faloughi, Dr. Daru Owei and Chief Robert Enogha.
The Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe was also honoured, alongside the late former National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoeye Azazi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri; pioneer editor of the Daily Times, Ernest Ikoli; and teenage chess player Deborah Quickpen.
The ceremony attracted former President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; members of the Abacha family; National Assembly members; diplomats; traditional rulers; government officials and business leaders.
Among those present were Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, Speaker of the State House of Assembly represented by his deputy, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority Managing Director Ebitimi Amgbare, Comptroller-General of Customs Alhaji Bashir Adeniyi and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
Ambassadors of Germany, Portugal, Italy, Vietnam, Angola, Czech Republic, and São Tomé and Principe also attended the event.
