PANDEF National Chairman Commends Diri Administration, Says Southern Ijaw Road Project Marks Historic Milestone
EMTV NEWS | YENAGOA | NOVEMBER 2, 2027
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Former Nigerian diplomat and National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, has commended the Bayelsa State Government for sustaining peace, promoting infrastructural development and institutionalising the culture of thanksgiving, describing the state’s annual thanksgiving service as an important moment for collective reflection and appreciation to God.
Ambassador Igali, who is also the Ibetariowei of Ijawland, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with EMTV News Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Robinson Ere Erebi, during the 15th Annual Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa, on November 2, 2027.
Speaking on the significance of the annual religious gathering, the PANDEF chairman said Bayelsans had numerous reasons to thank God, particularly for the gift of life, families, communities, the creation of Bayelsa State and the prevailing peace across the state.
He described the thanksgiving service as an opportunity for the people to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and reflect on the progress recorded in the state.
“We’re glad that as a state and as a people, we can come together to give God thanks. First and foremost, for giving us life, for giving us families, for giving us communities, and above all, for giving us a state, our own political space within Nigeria that we can call our own,” he said.
Ambassador Igali particularly highlighted the importance of peace and security, noting that while several parts of the country continue to grapple with insecurity, Bayelsa has remained relatively peaceful.
According to him, the ability of residents to go about their daily activities and sleep peacefully without fear is itself a significant reason for gratitude.
He also commended security agencies for their efforts in apprehending criminal elements and maintaining law and order.
On infrastructural development, the former diplomat singled out the ongoing road construction projects in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area as a major achievement, describing the extension of road access to previously inaccessible communities as a historic development.
He recalled that despite Southern Ijaw’s strategic importance as one of Nigeria’s largest local government areas, its significant oil-producing status and decades of oil production, the area had remained largely inaccessible by road.
However, he noted that the present administration had made a significant breakthrough by extending road infrastructure to Oporoma, the local government headquarters, with further extensions towards Otuan and Enewari.
“For the first time under this administration, road has gotten to the local government headquarters, Oporoma. From Oporoma, the road has tilted off to Otuan, another big town. And now the road is going also to newari, my hometown,” Igali stated.
He added that the proposed road connectivity towards Enewari would open up access to several communities along the River Nun corridor, bringing improved mobility and development opportunities to the riverine population.
The PANDEF chairman consequently congratulated Governor Douye Diri, his deputy and members of the state administration for sustaining the annual thanksgiving tradition and pursuing development across the state.
Speaking in his capacity as National Chairman of PANDEF, the umbrella socio-political organisation representing the interests of the Niger Delta, Ambassador Igali extended his congratulations beyond Bayelsa, acknowledging the people of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States, as well as other coastal communities of the Niger Delta.
Igali Praises Diri’s Christian Heritage and Leadership
In another segment of the interview, Ambassador Igali spoke glowingly about Governor Douye Diri’s Christian background and personal commitment to faith, referring to a book titled The Lively Oracle, which he held during the interview and which focuses on the Bayelsa governor.
He disclosed that following the death of Governor Diri’s father, he had the opportunity to undertake research into the governor’s family history and discovered a longstanding Christian heritage spanning several generations.
According to him, the governor’s father, uncles, grandfather and great-grandfather were deeply committed Christians, with the family making significant sacrifices towards the establishment and growth of Christianity in their community.
He recalled that the family reportedly donated its only parcel of land to the church, demonstrating the depth of its religious commitment.
Ambassador Igali said he was therefore not surprised by Governor Diri’s public expression of faith, particularly his enthusiastic participation in worship and thanksgiving.
“I told Douye Diri something because when his father died, I had the privilege, the opportunity to go and research on his family. And I discovered that they have a strong Christian heritage,” he said.
Drawing a biblical comparison with King David, he described the governor’s manner of worship as an expression of genuine devotion to God.
“You can see that he dances from his heart like King David did before God. And such a man, you cannot fight him. When a man is a baby before God, when a man is a child dancing before God, the man is invisible. The man will do great things, will do great exploits,” he added.
He prayed that Governor Diri would remain steadfast in his faith, continue along the path of righteousness and sustain his commitment to serving God and humanity.
A Call for Gratitude and Service
Ambassador Igali, who disclosed that he travelled from Lagos to attend the thanksgiving service before returning for other official engagements, emphasised that the annual gathering held a special place in his personal and spiritual life.
He recalled that even when he was outside Nigeria the previous year, he made arrangements to return home and participate in the state thanksgiving service.
He urged Bayelsans to translate their gratitude to God into a renewed commitment to serving humanity, promoting peaceful coexistence and contributing positively to society.
For him, thanksgiving should go beyond an annual religious ceremony to become a lifestyle characterised by faith, humility, service and kindness towards fellow human beings.
The 15th Annual Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Service once again brought together government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents in a collective expression of gratitude to God for the state’s journey, achievements and aspirations.
EMTV NEWS EDITORIAL NOTE
Ambassador Igali’s remarks provide a perspective on the significance of the annual thanksgiving tradition, the administration’s infrastructure initiatives and the importance of peace and religious faith in Bayelsa State. His observations on development, particularly in Southern Ijaw, reflect his assessment as an indigene of the area and a stakeholder in the wider Niger Delta.
Reporting: Robinson Ere Erebi
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