The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has paid glowing tributes to the memory of late Chief Stephen Zaria Porri, the deceased father of Hon. Tari Porri who represents Ekeremor Constituency 1 at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Speaking at the burial ceremony at Aleibiri town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, Governor Diri described Chief Stephen Porri as a man who made his mark as a teacher, businessman and politician through determination and consistency.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive thanked God for His grace upon Pa Porri who lived up to the ripe age of 89 years before he took his bow from the stage of life.
Governor Diri who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo identified consistency and selfless service to humanity as some of the several lessons that could be learned from the exemplary life of the departed Aleibiri-born octogenarian.
While commiserating with the Porri family, he called on the younger generation to emulate the sterling qualities of hardwork, determination, doggedness and love which Chief Porri exemplified.
In his tribute, the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, remarked that Chief Stephen Porri was a highly dedicated public school teacher who impacted many lives and had left behind indelible marks.
Others who made goodwill messages include the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly; Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri and a former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi.
The Bayelsa First Lady, Dr Gloria Diri, members of the state House of Assembly, Commissioners, the Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe and other top government functionaries attended the burial ceremony.
In a related development, the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has again advised youths of the state to be wary of politicians who only remember them at election seasons for the wrong reasons.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo gave the advice at the burial ceremony of Late Madam Embelemoboere Christiana Odoko, mother-in-law to the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West, Dr Churson Obosi, at Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
Underscoring the consequences of following self-seeking politicians, he urged the youths to remain focused and determined to realize their dreams and aspirations in life.
While commenting on the life and times of late Madam Christiana Odoko, the Deputy Governor, described the deceased as a woman who completed her earthly mission satisfactorily
He noted that the responsible children she raised was a clear pointer to the fact that she was a good and virtuous woman with the fear of God.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, the departed matriarch contributed immensely to the development of her native Agbere Community, Sagbama local government and the entire state through her benevolence and good works.
He called on the children and family to take solace in the fact that their mother devoutly served God in her lifetime and left behind a positive legacy they could be proud of and emulate.
