By Ere Robinson Erebi
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed that the November 2 Annual Thanksgiving Day—a spiritual tradition initiated by his predecessor, former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson—has become an integral part of the Prosperity Administration’s ethos and a way of life for the people of Bayelsa.
Governor Diri stated this on Thursday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Yenagoa, during the commencement of a three-day Solemn Assembly to mark the 14th Annual Thanksgiving of Bayelsa State.
Speaking at the event, the Governor described the yearly thanksgiving as an opportunity for collective reflection, unity, and gratitude to God for the progress the State has made over the years.
“Not only tradition, it has become a way of life. Every 2nd of November, we gather to honour God and give thanks to Him. Preceding the 2nd of November, we hold this Solemn Assembly for three days,” Governor Diri said.
“This year, we begin today, October 30, 2025. We’re blessed with our Guest Preacher, Pastor George Izunwa, who has remained a spiritual partner in the development of our State. May God continue to bless you as you partner with us.”
Governor Diri reminded Bayelsans of the State’s humble beginnings, noting that its creation with only eight local government areas is a testament to divine providence.
“We all know where we are coming from. Bayelsa before creation and Bayelsa today are remarkably different. It may not be where we wish to be, but we are moving forward,” he said.
“It behoves us to continue praying for peace, security, and progress. Let us hand over a State in peace, not in pieces, to our children—so they will be proud of Bayelsa.”
The Governor also emphasized the importance of showing mercy, unity, and love among citizens.
“If you don’t show mercy to your brother or sister, your heavenly Father will also not show you mercy. If God decides not to show you mercy, you’re finished—no matter how rich you are,” he cautioned.
“The essence of this gathering is to remove our differences, unite our similarities, and strengthen our love for one another. When someone brings hatred, bring love. When someone brings darkness, bring light. That’s how we’ll continue to bond and move Bayelsa forward.”
Governor Diri also warned against the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially on social media, urging citizens to use their time and data more productively.
“Bayelsa is very active on social media, and with artificial intelligence today, fake stories can easily spread. Those things won’t uplift our State. The time and data wasted online could be invested in productive ventures that add value to Bayelsa.”
He encouraged citizens to take personal responsibility in contributing to development, stressing that while government creates the enabling environment, individuals must play their part.
“There’s no government in the world that can put good directly on everyone’s table. Government sets the environment for you to excel—and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Governor Diri expressed appreciation to the clergy, women, youths, elders, and all Bayelsans who participated in the opening of the three-day Solemn Assembly, which precedes the official Thanksgiving Day on November 2.
“To our clergy, thank you and may God bless you. To our women, our youths, and elders, continue to show the light. For us in government, we don’t know it all—call us to order where we err. Together, Bayelsa will continue to shine as a star and as a light,” he concluded.
Kindly share
