“As people of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we have protested and fought because we feel that God gave us something in our land, but we are not benefiting from it. Others are benefiting and saw us as second-class citizens. It has been a long journey to be part of what God has given to us under our soil.”
“It is ironical that at the end of every month, all our states go to Abuja to share oil money. I do not think that is what democracy is all about. For instance, Southern Ijaw, an oil-rich local government area in my state that brings so much money to Nigeria, had no road access for more than 60 years until I invited former President Obasanjo, who graciously came to inaugurate a project there.
As part of my itinerary, I will also on Thursday be delivering a keynote address at the High Level Roundtable on the Gulf of Guinea. This is an event that is significant to Bayelsa State’s growth and economic advancement as our state, which borders the Atlantic Ocean on three flanks, makes deliberate inroad into tapping the enormous resources in our maritime domain.
The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri has said that the essence of leadership is to bring happiness to the people, and that is what he has done. The Governor stated this while speaking at the 12th Bayelsa Annual Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene – Yenagoa. “I want to thank…
“What I’m seeing here is better than what I expected. You have peace here compared to other parts of the country. Comparatively, you have peace here than in other states in this country. If what is happening here is replicated in all other state of Nigeria then we will say that we have a good country You have security, security without peace is no security, here you have peace, security and stability”
