Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the unity of his Ijaw kinsmen in Delta State was necessary for the ethnic group’s progress and development in the state.
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Speaking at Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday during a grand reception in honour of the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, organized by the Delta Ijaw Political Leaders, Governor Diri remarked that their unity will make it easy for them to be heard and taken seriously.
While assuring them of his support, the Bayelsa governor hailed the performance of his Delta counterpart, whom he said had brought development to Ijaw communities and the state at large.
Diri noted that Oborevwori’s performance in his first term justified his quest for a second term and pledged his support.
The Bayelsa helmsman also stressed the need for leaders of the Niger Delta region to prioritise service to the people over personal gains and said he would discuss the possibility of collaborating with his Delta colleague on a bridge project to link Ijaw communities in both states.
His words: “Governor Sheriff has done so well for the Ijaw people in Delta and the testimonies are clear. By your works you have been endorsed for a second tenure and so shall it be. We all have a common terrain and culture and so for any of us that God has elevated, it should be service to our people.
“It is a lie that due to the terrain of Ijawland, road construction is impossible. You have proved such people wrong. The governor is development-oriented and I am sure he will continue to listen to Ijaw people. We must break that jinx that Ijaw nation terrain is too difficult to develop.
“I commend the Ijaw people in Delta. You are united and you speak in one voice. We will continue to support our people from wherever we are. “
In his remarks, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the Ijaws in the state for the honour done him, saying he felt like their kinsman coming home.
Oborevwori said the Delta Ijaw people have been a huge pillar of support to him over the years, helping him overcome his political travails and achieve victory.
He stated that over N400 billion has been spent developing Ijaw communities and promised not to relent but to reciprocate their love through appointments and more infrastructure.
“I feel highly honoured to be here among the Ijaw nation. For me, this is the highest honour and I appreciate it. The atmosphere and reception feel like homecoming. Today I feel like an Ijaw man.
“This event is not a suprise to me. God used the Ijaw people and other ethnic nationalities to bring me to office. I cannot forget how the Ijaw nation, at every given time, stood by me during my period of travail. It gave me strength.
“I thank the Ijaw people for the award and for endorsing me and Mr. President. I do not take it for granted. I will reciprocate that love through appointment and infrastructure development.”
In his remarks, chairman of the reception central organising committee, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, said the event was a defining moment of gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for developing Ijaw communities in the state.
Also, chairman of the event and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, extolled the Delta governor’s performance, emphasising that he deserved a second term in office.
In separate remarks, Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said Oborevwori had done well for the state and for the Ijaws in particular, and that the event was a mark of appreciation to him.
The duo assured of the ethnic group’s for President Tinubu and the governor’s re-election.
High point of the event was the endorsement of Oborevwori and Tinubu for a second tenure by Ijaw political leaders in the state.
The motion was moved by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Pondi, seconded by state legislator, Hon. Kenneth Oboro, and subjected to a voice vote by Guwor.
Oborevwori was also honoured with the title, “Izon Ebimieowei of Delta State.”
On Governor Diri’s entourage were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, Hon. Tare Pori and Hon. Living Mitin.
Others were members of the state executive council, including the Commissioner for Ijaw Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomo, Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou
Koku-Obiyai, Public Utilities, Engr. Kharin Komuko, Youth Development, Alfred Nimizigha, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, and other political appointees.
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