I had a memorable encounter with a personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces who is from northern part of the country, but he is currently serving in Bayelsa State.
The soldier who has stayed in Bayelsa for some reasonable years told me that Gov. Douye Diri and one other governor are the best performing governors in the country in the present dispensation in terms of infrastructure. He went further to reaffirm the already generally known fact that Bayelsa State is the SAFEST STATE in Nigeria.
Sadly, retrogressive elements would shout about statistics to back up the above claim.
Many of them are yet to understand that the west, here I am talking about developed countries and international organizations and institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO) and others that are often referred to as development partners, often use their deceptive statistics to undermine Africa. They demonize Africans especially her leaders and also make the people to see and think of themselves as lesser, unfortunate beings, whereas in the right sense, Africa is far richer than them.
The said soldier is not alone in his position about Gov. Douye Diri and Bayelsa State.
Before the inception of the present ASSURED Prosperity Administration, Bayelsa State was 75% riverine. The above areas could only be accessed through rivers, either by speed boats or canoes.
But today, the story has changed for good. Gov. Douye Diri has successfully turned things around such that 75% of Bayelsa State is now accessed by good roads.
Roads and bridges are now criss-crossing everywhere in the state.
As I drove through the streets of Yenagoa today morning, I saw multitudes of people both young and old in their beautiful sports kits jogging to different directions.
At night especially during weekends, 12am mid-morning in Yenagoa is always like 8am in the morning because of the number of vehicles that drive different directions with passengers and others.
The social life in Yenagoa has increased and improved tremendously, compared to the era that streets of Yenagoa were always deserted at 8pm due to high level of insecurity and the deafening darkness.
Today, there is Light everywhere.
Under Gov. Douye Diri, Bayelsans are enjoying and celebrating uninterrupted electricity.
He built a brand new 60-Megawatts Gas Turbine.
He bought Aircrafts for Bayelsa State commercial airline, instead of joining State Governors with state owned Private Jets. Today, Bayelsa State has joined the comity of states and countries with their government owned Airlines.
In the next few months Bayelsa State will complete the most beautiful State Secretariat in the country.
Within few years, he constructed and completed the 630-metres Angiama-Oporoma Bridge and adjoining roads. This bridge is presently the longest Bridge that is constructed by a state government.
Gov. Douye Diri like our great sage, Chief (Sen.) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo CFR who built towns like Eagle Island, Ogbia Town and Borokiri that were hitherto thick forests and swamps, our generational leader and Lee Kuan Yew of Bayelsa State has successfully built the New Yenagoa City.
We are also counting months to the completion of the 30,000 capacity FIFA Standard Stadium.
In the area of Education, Gov. Douye Diri is using his younger brother, Hon. Gentle Emelah Ph.D to do the unbelievable and unimaginable in Bayelsa State.
We are super proud that Bayelsa State is graded and categorized among one of the best in the whole country.
The strategic choice of Champion Daniel Igali Ph.D as Commissioner of Sports is working so much for the state. Bayelsa is now among leading states in the sports industry.
Prof. Brisibe one of our civilian Generals is recording success in the health sector.
ESV. Moses Teibowei can be described as a Super Grandfather in terms of road development because of the excellent work he is doing in the area of works and infrastructure. In developed countries, people like him are kept in government for decades in order to sustain their good works.
We cannot talk about the good works Gov. Douye Diri is doing in the area of road without mentioning the brain behind the success story. While administrations are tenured, appointments like those of works should be particularized within the system such that the incoming administration shall sustain it. ESV. Moses Teibowei is a great Asset that should be celebrated and retained by the successive administration.
The government is also doing so much in the area of transportation.
Senator Douye Diri has brought back the glorious years of Bayelsa State Civil Service.
During the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, Bayelsa Civil Servants were the best dressed nationwide. They were always well fed and happy. But after many years, the whole thing changed and they became shadows of their old selves, moody, hungry and always sorrowful.
Today, the story has changed. The civil service is thriving and flourishing once again. People are proud to identify themselves as civil servants because they are treated with high dignity and regard. They are treated as Kings and Queens.
Gov. Douye Diri is building the most beautiful State Secretariat that civil servants will long to be in their offices at all times especially because of the beautiful and conducive environment.
The ASSURED Prosperity Administration has also prioritized women and youth empowerment.
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE BEFORE BAYELSANS
Many years ago, Bayelsa State was stereotyped and profiled as a very violent and unsafe state. Bayelsans were treated very shabbily and disdainfully.
The state was always associated with violence. But today, renowned criminals are ashamed of crime. They even wish to erase their past.
Most criminals and violent characters are now living very refined, decent lives because of the BODY LANGUAGE of the governor who has zero tolerance for crime and criminality.
The present administration does not patronize criminals.
Gov. Douye Diri has so prioritized EDUCATION and general CAPACITY BUILDING to the level that everyone is struggling to acquire education and build their capacities in order to attract government support.
Gov. Douye Diri as a Political Scientist, Social Scientist, Social Engineer and Philosopher King has successfully built an IDEAL SOCIETY where there is law and order. Orderliness is prioritized.
The great challenge before Bayelsans is sustainability in the post-Douye Diri era.
Senator Douye Diri has raised a very high standard. He has also set a template like what Chief (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio did in Akwa Ibom State that successive administrations are building upon.
Gov. Donald Duke did excellent work in Cross River State but the choices that the people made have almost shattered everything that Donald Duke did.
May Bayelsans never make the wrong choice in 2027/28.
If it was possible, I would have recommended a situation where we would have duplicated the exact Gov. Douye Diri since there is no third term.
His Excellency should choose and gross his worthy successor who will continue his good works even if we call it a Third Term.
I like Gov. Ododo of Kogi State. He asked his predecessor to remain in Government House. Today, everything about Kogi State are moving forward. They are correcting mistakes and consolidating.
May Almighty God help Gov. Douye Diri to finish strong.
– Hon Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli