Blog

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, BAYELSA STATE

The Forum of Deputy Governors in Nigeria was at the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday to commiserate with Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family over the demise of the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The forum was led by its chairman and deputy governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, and was accompanied by the deputy governors of Akwa Ibom (Sen. Akon Eyakenyi), Benue (Dr Sam Ode), and Delta (Monday Onyeme)

Others were Dr. Dennis Idahosa (Edo), Princess Patricia Obila (Ebonyi), Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), and Prof. Ngozi Odu (Rivers)

The forum said Ewhrudjakpo served Bayelsa State with affection and dedication as senator, deputy governor and community leader.

It also stated that the deputy governor loved his job and approached it with the best of intellectual content, adding that he had the best of times and relationship with his principal.

Ossai described Ewhrudjakpo as a gentleman with a problem-solving approach to issues, always calm and gave advice drawn from his age and experience as a senator.

He said: “We came to share in this tough moment with Bayelsa and to tell His Excellency that we are with you in this trying period. Each step of the way you can count on our support, our encouragement and, above all, our prayers for the repose of the beautiful soul of our brother, Lawrence.
‎
“‎I want to unequivocally convey the sympathies and condolence of our colleagues to Your Excellency and the people of Bayelsa State.”

The forum made a donation of N50m in support of the family and the funeral of their former colleague.

The delegation also visited his wife, Barr. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo.

Also paying glowing tribute to the late deputy governor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, described the sudden passing of Ewhrudjakpo as unfortunate, saying that in life, unexpected things happen that cannot be explained.

Dr. Maduka, who narrated how he lost his parents and spouse, said the experience left him devastated at the time.

“Death can occur anytime. The closest experience that l had with death was when l lost my father at a young age of four, which impacted me. My mother also died when l was in my thirties, and much later in my life l lost my wife.

“It is unfortunate that this happened to your deputy. I pray God to give you courage and the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Also eulogising Ewhrudjakpo, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, said Ewhrudjakpo’s demise marked a difficult moment in the history of Bayelsa, stating that the visit was to express their condolences and convey the deep sense of loss and pain that the entire Ijaw nation felt.

Lokpobiri described the late deputy governor as noble, industrious and a man of principle, whose services to the state were invaluable.

According to the IYC leader, Ewhrudjakpo’s death created a void in government that would be difficult to fill.

He said: “It is with great grief that we came to condole with you, the Ewhrudjakpo family and the entire state over the loss of this noble man that once served to the best of his ability.

“For those that had close working relationship with him, Your Excellency, they know the principles that he stood for. He left a very huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill in order to achieve your mandate through your second term.”

Responding, Governor Douye Diri implored people of the state to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, humility and dedicated service in whatever position they found themselves.

He noted that his late deputy utilised his office to serve Bayelsa and Nigeria as a whole while he was a senator, describing his death as a profound loss to the state and his Ofoni community.

He said: “From the beginning, l told everyone to depoliticise the death of the deputy governor. It is a natural occurrence. It could happen to any of us. Let nobody associate the death of Senator Ewhrudjakpo with defection or no defection. Let that narrative die.

“It is very saddening that that we are now talking about Ewhrudjakpo, who was once very active, in the past tense. It goes to show the fleeting nature of life.

“That is why all of us should learn from this event. Death never gives anyone notice. We should all be prepared that one day we shall all answer that call. So, whatever office we hold, we should know that we are holding it in trust for the people.

“We have set up a funeral committee comprising of government officials, the Ewhrudjakpo family and his church. Very soon, we will come up with the funeral programme and we will give him a befitting state burial.”

Daniel Alabrah
Chief Press Secretary
January 13, 2026

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the welfare of men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces should be prioritised given their sacrifice to the country.

Speaking on Sunday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day interdenominational service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri stated that the armed forces deserve better welfare during and after their service to the nation.

The Bayelsa governor decried a situation where retired military personnel go through harrowing conditions to get their pension and retirement benefits, saying some of them even die in the process.

He recalled how his former classmate, a retired military officer, died recently due to poor welfare, stressing that having put their lives on the line in the course of duty, they deserve the support and encouragement of Nigerians.

He, however, expressed delight that under the current Federal Government, the situation was improving and called for greater sacrifices for the military from government at all levels and Nigerians in general.

He urged Nigerians to discontinue the practice of criticising the military and the government on social media at every given opportunity, saying what the military deserves was commendation for their selfless service.

His words: “The welfare of the military ought to be prioritised. Without the military, there is no country.

“The armed forces are an important part of government. While we sleep, they are busy working to keep us safe. Yet some people go on the Internet to insult them and the government.

“The sacrifices they make even lead to sacrificing their own lives. It is sad that upon retirement, some of them queue under the rain and sun waiting for retirement benefits and some even die in the process. We need to change; we need to honour them.

“As a state, we have to be disciplined and orderly. Part of our problem as a country is the non-compliance with our laws. For the great armed forces, I salute you, your strength and cooperation with Bayelsa.”

The governor also implored serving military and police officers to be diligent and professional in their service so as not to discredit their agencies.

In a sermon, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religion, Rev. Godspower Asingba, emphasised the need for Nigerians to pray for and encourage the military.

Asingba said military personnel work under extremely harsh environment and struggle to enjoy a better life, and therefore deserve prayers.

Present at the service were the wife of the governor, Justice Patience Diri, the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr. Konbowei Benson, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and other state legislators as well as the Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye.

Also in attendance were two former deputy governors, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and other members of the state executive council, service commanders, serving and retired military officers among others.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, BAYELSA STATE

*Gov Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

His words: “My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army.”

Responding, Governor Douye Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

Governor Diri lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade.”

Daniel Alabrah
Chief Press Secretary
January 8, 2026