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Tag: Gov. Douye Diri

Gov Diri Urges NYSC Batch C Corps Members to Serve with Integrity, Embrace Bayelsa’s Development Opportunities
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has charged members of the NYSC 2025 Batch C to serve the nation with integrity, commitment and a strong focus on self-development. He gave the charge on Friday while declaring open the NYSC Batch C Stream I orientation course at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Kaiama, Bayelsa State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Kemepado, Governor Diri described the corps members as resilient young Nigerians whose contributions are essential to national development. He said the NYSC scheme provides a unique platform for grooming responsible citizens and equipping them for future leadership roles.
Governor Diri assured the corps members of a peaceful and supportive environment throughout their service year in Bayelsa. He encouraged them to maximise the opportunities offered by the orientation camp and the state at large.
“Bayelsa is fully committed to your welfare and development. Make the most of this orientation camp — learn, network, mentor others and allow yourselves to be mentored,” he said.
The governor reiterated that his administration will continue to prioritise youth empowerment and support programmes that enhance skills acquisition and employment opportunities for young people.
In her remarks, the Bayelsa State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Okpalifo Obiageli Charity, said the orientation programme was designed to instil discipline, patriotism and practical skills that would remain beneficial beyond the service year. She noted that the training modules aim to prepare corps members for national service and future career pursuits.
Mrs. Okpalifo commended the Diri administration for continuous infrastructural improvements at the Kaiama camp and its sustained support for NYSC activities in the state. She appealed for deeper collaboration to further strengthen the scheme.
The swearing-in ceremony, administered by a representative of the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, officially marked the commencement of the three-week orientation exercise for corps members deployed to the state. The event brought together senior officials of the NYSC, government representatives and security agencies, who all reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe and productive service year for the corps members.
With the orientation course underway, the Bayelsa State Government expressed confidence that Batch C corps members will contribute positively to community development initiatives across the state. The administration also encouraged them to take advantage of Bayelsa’s peaceful atmosphere and emerging opportunities in education, agriculture, and small-scale enterprises to enhance their personal and professional growth.
November 22, 2025
Every Single Community In Bayelsa Is Affected By Flood – Gov Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, has lamented the ravaging flooding across the country, saying every community in the state is affected.
The governor disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Newsnight, a pre-recorded show on Sunday.
Obviously worried, Diri said the state government has converted primary and secondary schools that are not flooded into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Noting that the whole state is now one big IDP camp, the governor explained that centres have been opened particularly in Yenagoa, the capital, to house displaced persons and begin to attend to their needs.
This is even as he explained that the state government, through its task force and the State Emergency Management Agency, has begun distributing items to cushion the effect of flooding on the people.
“Every community in Bayelsa is an IDP camp. However in Yenagoa the capital city, we have designated some IDP camps. It is not an exaggeration, every community is an IDP camp,” Diri said.
“We have a place called the Oxbow Lake which was used as an event centre. Today, that place has been opened for IDPs and we have no less than 2,000 IDPs in that centres. We also have all primary and secondary schools that are not yet flooded have been used as an IDP camp.”
“That is why the Task Force, together with the State Emergency Management Agency keep distributing foodstuff to every local government and every community because no community is left out.”
According to Diri, the state government is concerned about the possible outbreak of diseases among the IDPs.
To address the issue, he stated that the Ministry of Health has also commenced the distribution of drugs to the people while the situation lasts.
Bayelsa is one of the over 22 states in Nigeria that has been grappling with the issue of flooding recently. The situation has sacked many people from their homes and has destroyed many farmlands, with fears about the security of food.
Already, over 600 persons have died in the recent floodings in Nigeria as of last Sunday.
The disaster had also forced more than 1.3 million from their homes, said a statement by Nigeria’s ministry of humanitarian affairs, released on Twitter.
“Unfortunately, over 603 lives have been lost as of today October 16, 2022,” said Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
The previous toll from last week stood at 500, but the numbers had risen in part because some state governments had not prepared for the floods, said the minister.
October 23, 2022
2023: PDP Will Emerge Victorious Despite Crisis – Gov Diri
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri says he is optimistic that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would surmount its current challenges and emerge victorious at all levels in the 2023 general election. Diri stated this at an interdenominational church service organised by the state government to mark Nigeria’s 62nd independence and the 26th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.
Diri was represented by the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the service held at the King of Glory Chapel inside Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor described the post-convention crisis rocking PDP as “shaking of the water in the river that will not stop the boat from getting to its destination”.
He said by the grace of God and the support of Nigerians, who had seen the difference between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP, his party would reclaim power at the centre and in majority of the states.
According to the governor, “What is happening in our party is just shaking of water. The water has not poured and will not pour. For the fact that there is a storm in the river does not mean the ship or the boat will not sail to its destination.
“The most important question is, is there a competent captain and a functional radar? The PDP ship will definitely get to its destination. By God’s grace and the support of well-meaning people of our country, we are going to win convincingly.”
Diri urged Nigerians to be determined and courageous in their bid to rescue the country from total collapse. He maintained that the country would become stronger, more united, and prosperous after the forthcoming elections.
Commenting on how the state had fared so far, Diri said though Bayelsa was not where it ought to be, the state had made remarkable progress from its inception in 1996. He reassured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment towards completing all on-going landmark projects, including the Nembe-Brass Road, Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, and the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road to open up the state for sustainable prosperity.
The Bayelsa helmsman cautioned politicians to focus on issues, rather than engage in character assassination of political rivals, as the campaigns for the 2023 elections kick off this week.
The governor equally warned the youth to be mindful of politicians, whose stock in trade was to throw around Greek gifts and promote violence during political seasons.
He said, “We are not where we ought to be but, definitely, we are not where we used to be. And that is what is important. You see, when there is hope, then, you can muster every courage and determination to get to where you are going. So, clearly, we are convinced that we are on the right track, right steps are being taken in the right direction for our state, Bayelsa.
“Even in Nigeria, we cannot say it is all failure. There are some improvements. But the most important thing is for us to believe and have faith and be determined, because a man without determination and courage cannot be successful.”
September 26, 2022
Insecurity: Things Are Getting Worse Than In 2015 – Gov Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, on Tuesday lamented the security challenges in the country, saying that things have worsened at the moment than it was in 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over power in the country.
Speaking at the Government House in Yenagoa while receiving heads of some security agencies, the governor said the level of insecurity in the north is worrisome.
While noting that once a part of the country is in distress, other areas are also affected, Diri described the spate of killings by terrorists in the country as a great setback for Nigeria where lives could be taken at will.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri
“I am sure that you will agree that things are worse now than in 2015. The Federal Government has to redouble its effort. Otherwise, the joker card is with the people of Nigeria. They know what to do come 2023,” the governor said.
“When one part of the country is sick, it affects the other parts. Kaduna and other states in the North are sick security-wise and it is affecting other parts of the country. Nigeria is very close to Thomas Hobbes’ ‘state of nature’ where life is described as nasty, brutish and short. The Federal Government has to do something to keep us away from the Hobbesian state.”
The Bayelsa governor, therefore, asked the Federal Government to effectively curb the killings, urging it to redouble its effort at combating insecurity, particularly in the northern part of the country.
April 20, 2022
Gov Diri Swears In Wife Patience Zuofa-Diri, As High Court Judge
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has sworn in his wife, Mrs. Patience Zuofa-Diri, and three other legal practitioners as the judges of the state High Court.
Aside Mrs Diri, other new judges are former Registrar of the Bayelsa state High Court, James Lookie, a Law lecturer at the Niger Delta University, Dr. Simon Amaduobogha, and legal practitioners, Mrs. Christine Enegesi.
Administering the oath of office on the new judges at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Diri said his administration prioritises the judiciary in view of its significant role in society.
He also recalled the embarrassing invasion of the Abuja residence of Supreme Court’s Judge, Justice Mary Odili, calling on the relevant authorities to expedite action in order to bring those culpable to justice.
The governor congratulated the new judicial officers on their appointment and elevation, urging them to serve the people with unfailing honour and commitment.
He commended the NJC, the state Judicial Service Commission, the state Chief Judge and the Chief Justice of Nigeria for facilitating the process and endorsement of their nomination from the state.
He said they were found suitable for the exalted office after meeting some strict protocol.
He also stated that all facilities and obligations required for the appointment of additional judges for the state’s high court have been provided and that the state looks forward to appointment of more judges in the new year.
He said: “These are strongholds of justice, protectors of liberty, symbol of law and order, custodians of the rule of law and embodiments of the hopes and dreams of our people. And if they can be treated with such impunity, then we are all much poorer for it.
“It is germane to restate that separation of powers should not in any way suggest division. In the end, we have a shared obligation to serve the people of Bayelsa State. We are one government united by one common purpose to deliver the hopes and dreams of the people of the state,” he said.
December 31, 2021
Gov Diri Imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on Bayelsa communities
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri areas of the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
Diri said the curfew, which takes effect from Wednesday, was in a bid to prevent the escalation of violent crisis.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Ayibaina Duba.
There has been reports of violent crisis in the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
However, Duba said the curfew will run from 6pm to 6am daily until the situation improves.
The statement read, “Bayelsa State Government has reviewed the reports of violent crisis in Nembe, leading to a breach of the public peace and the law by yet-to-be-identified individuals.
“Worried that the violence might escalate, a dusk to dawn curfew is hereby imposed on Nembe; Bassambiri, Ogbolomabiri and environs effective from Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
“The curfew shall be in force from 6pm to 6am daily until the security situation in the affected communities improves.”
July 14, 2021
Gov Diri rejects APC overtures, vows to remain in PDP
By Ekaunkumo Agbere
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has rejected the overtures by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he was going nowhere and more committed to the PDP.
Diri, who expressed appreciation to the APC for acknowledging his good works, described the call for him to dump PDP as unfortunate, provoking and unwelcome.
A one-time deputy governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, had at the weekend during an APC stakeholders meeting in Ekeremor local government area, called on Governor Diri to dump the PDP which he described as a sinking ship.
But Governor Diri, through his director of New Media, Mr. Kola Oredipe, declared that he remains a strong, committed and one of the leaders of the PDP in the country and has no reason to leave the party to another platform now or in the near future.
According to the statement issued on Sunday and signed by Oredipe, he berated the APC leaders, saying: “It will be a political suicide to leave the only party that exist in Bayelsa State, to join a party that has no root, no structure.
“Ebebi, must be a joker. We know him for many acts of theatrics and at this time too, it is not different. He has confessed that the governor is not doing badly meaning that the PDP is on the right track, why then go to join a party that has taken Nigeria many years back?”
The media aide to the governor wondered if Ebebi was not aware of high-profile members of the opposition APC who have since joined the PDP and aligned with the vision of the Prosperity Government for a united and greater Bayelsa State.
He said, “Where was Ebebi all these months when many chieftains dumped his APC to return home in PDP. He knows APC ranks have been heavily depleted and that is why he is calling on them to return. It is too late. We have accommodated them in the PDP.
“We know Ebebi is not a fulfilled man where he is. It is him that will come back to the PDP. For now, he has no electoral values in his community, Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area. This much came out clear in the Bayelsa West Senatorial election he contested late last year where he lost woefully. My conclusion on his comment is that he must be looking for relevance in his new party.”
Oredipe noted that the rising political profile and general acceptability of Governor Diri, was giving Ebebi and his co-travelers headache, ahead of the 2023 elections because no one in the APC would have the capacity to stop the re-election of the governor.
He stated that Ebebi should be reminded that only recently the people of his constituency in Aleibiri under the leadership of Hon. Tari Porri, the member representing Ekeremor 1 in the State House of Assembly passed a vote of confidence on Diri for his developmental efforts.
July 4, 2021
Diri awards scholarship to Bayelsa 2nd first class law graduate
.. Bags NYSC Presidential honorees
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to another first class law graduate from the state, Miss Pere Esther Amazige.
Miss Amazige, who graduated from the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, is the second female Law graduate to bag the scholarship after Miss Ebizi Eradiri that had a double First Class at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School.
Senator Diri made the offer on Tuesday while receiving Miss Amazige and her mother, Mrs Joy Amazige, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, who assured her of his administration’s preparedness to sponsor her education up to doctorate level in any university of her choice within and outside the country, congratulated her for achieving the feat against all odds.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri saluted Amazige’s courage and resilience, pointing out that she was not deterred from achieving her dreams by her father’s death.
His words: “You have a lot of offers in the United Kingdom to go for your Master degree. Let me on behalf of the government declare that your admission in or outside the country will be taken over by the state government even up to Ph.D level.
“I use this opportunity to advise our young ones not to be discouraged by the circumstances they find themselves. Esther lost her father while in secondary school. Nothing can stop you when you are determined to achieve your dreams.
“Let Esther be your role model. With all the daunting challenges she and her mother faced, she remained focused and today we are celebrating her success. I urge the youths to learn from her success story.
He charged Miss Amazige to continue to be of good conduct and ambassador of the state and the country.
In his introductory remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described Miss Amazige as an intelligent and promising young girl, who bagged First Class in 2018 but narrowly missed replicating it at the Nigeria Law School.
In her remarks, Miss Amazige expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to advance her education, saying her academic success was in fulfillment of her determination to make her late father proud.
She said she already had five admission offers for a Master programme abroad and promised to fly the flag of the state and the country high at all times.
In a related development, Governor Diri also hosted three Bayelsans that are recipients of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honours Award.
The 2018/2019 presidential awardees are Dr Anointed Bagiri Riches, Engr. Abbott Temple Olotu and Bodisere Blessing Isaac.
He appreciated the awardees for positively promoting the image of Bayelsa at their places of primary assignment during their service year.
He noted that their feat was proof that given the opportunity and right environment, the youths of the state can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
His words: “That is why we keep preaching that the youths of Bayelsa are not lazy. The youths of Bayelsa are brilliant and can compete with anybody anywhere. You have just proven that to be part of the honorees of the President.”
He noted that the feat would spur other Bayelsa youths to excel.
While presenting the recipients, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, stated that two of them were graduates of the state-owned Niger Delta University while the third graduated from the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.
*Receives NYSC Presidential Honorees
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to another first class law graduate from the state, Miss Pere Esther Amazige.
Miss Amazige, who graduated from the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, is the second female Law graduate to bag the scholarship after Miss Ebizi Eradiri that had a double First Class at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School.
Senator Diri made the offer on Tuesday while receiving Miss Amazige and her mother, Mrs Joy Amazige, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, who assured her of his administration’s preparedness to sponsor her education up to doctorate level in any university of her choice within and outside the country, congratulated her for achieving the feat against all odds.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri saluted Amazige’s courage and resilience, pointing out that she was not deterred from achieving her dreams by her father’s death.
His words: “You have a lot of offers in the United Kingdom to go for your Master degree. Let me on behalf of the government declare that your admission in or outside the country will be taken over by the state government even up to Ph.D level.
“I use this opportunity to advise our young ones not to be discouraged by the circumstances they find themselves. Esther lost her father while in secondary school. Nothing can stop you when you are determined to achieve your dreams.
“Let Esther be your role model. With all the daunting challenges she and her mother faced, she remained focused and today we are celebrating her success. I urge the youths to learn from her success story.
He charged Miss Amazige to continue to be of good conduct and ambassador of the state and the country.
In his introductory remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described Miss Amazige as an intelligent and promising young girl, who bagged First Class in 2018 but narrowly missed replicating it at the Nigeria Law School.
In her remarks, Miss Amazige expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to advance her education, saying her academic success was in fulfillment of her determination to make her late father proud.
She said she already had five admission offers for a Master programme abroad and promised to fly the flag of the state and the country high at all times.
In a related development, Governor Diri also hosted three Bayelsans that are recipients of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honours Award.
The 2018/2019 presidential awardees are Dr Anointed Bagiri Riches, Engr. Abbott Temple Olotu and Bodisere Blessing Isaac.
He appreciated the awardees for positively promoting the image of Bayelsa at their places of primary assignment during their service year.
He noted that their feat was proof that given the opportunity and right environment, the youths of the state can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
His words: “That is why we keep preaching that the youths of Bayelsa are not lazy. The youths of Bayelsa are brilliant and can compete with anybody anywhere. You have just proven that to be part of the honorees of the President.”
He noted that the feat would spur other Bayelsa youths to excel.
While presenting the recipients, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, stated that two of them were graduates of the state-owned Niger Delta University while the third graduated from the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.
March 30, 2021
Gov. Diri appoints BBNaija star Nengi as his Senior Special Assistant and Face of Bayelsa
Governor Duoye Diri has appointed BBNaija Star, Nengi, as his Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child .
This was announced during her visit to the state governor in his office this morning November 6.

Nengi was also announced as the Face of Bayelsa state. Her fellow former housemate in the BBNaija lockdown house, Neo, who is currently in Bayelsa with her, shared the good news on his Twitter handle. He wrote;
“Omo my girl oo.. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Face of Bayelsa State. Congrats my sister @nengiofficial”
November 6, 2020
Diri dedicates S’Court victory to God, woos Alaibe, others
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has attributed his victory at the Supreme Court to God and prayers of Bayelsa people.
The apex court on Tuesday dismissed the case filed by Chief Timi Alaibe challenging Diri’s victory at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in September 2019.
Diri, who got a tumultuous reception upon his arrival in Yenagoa on Thursday night, said the demonstration of love and support by Bayelsans was overwhelming and heartwarming.
The Governor was joined by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker and other legislators, top government functionaries as well as PDP stalwarts among others for a victory thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Yenagoa, shortly after his arrival in the state capital.
He expressed gratitude for their support and encouragement, adding he never expected the display of love and warm reception when he arrived the state as late as 9pm.
Diri stated: “I never expected this kind of reception. As late as the time I arrived, people were still at the entrance into Bayelsa and up to the Government House gate. And the shocker I had was inside the chapel. This victory is not mine. You are the owners of this victory.”
The Governor, who acknowledged the role of God in his emergence, also applauded the Supreme Court justices for their uprightness and courage in upholding justice in dispensing their duties.
He called on all Bayelsans, including Alaibe and his other opponents, to join hands with his administration to build the state, noting that Bayelsa had a lot of potential waiting to be harnessed.
He further said: “There is so much for us as a state. As I keep saying, the only way this state can grow is when we free our minds from acrimony, hatred and covetousness.
“Bayelsa is still one state. But let us realise that power only comes from God. Whatever it is that has angered anyone, let us sheathe our swords in the interest of the state. Let us shun hatred and embrace love. That is only when Bayelsa can move forward. This victory is not mine. It is for all Bayelsans who have been praying with us.”
Speaking to journalists after the service, Diri said he would soon constitute his cabinet and put governance on track having dispensed with his major court case.
He expressed regret over the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said had stalled governance and socio-economic activities globally.
According to him, when his cabinet is composed, government will place premium on the development of trade, industry, investment and small and medium scale enterprises to empower people and boost the local economy.
In his brief exhortation, General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, said the mystery behind the emergence of Diri as governor could only be the handiwork of God and divine favour upon him.
July 17, 2020