Tributes: More Nigerians console Diri on father’s death
BY AMOS OKIOMA
Again, more prominent Nigerians from every part of Nigeria have continued to pay their glowing tributes to the late father of Bayelsa State Governor, Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, who passed on gloriously at the age of 88.
Speaking to journalists at Sampou, the leader of Northerners and Arewa Community in the South-South of Nigeria, Alhaji Musa Saidu, has expressed his condolences to not only the immediate family of Gov Diri, but the entire South-South for the great loss of the patriarch who impacted immense discipline on his children that made them become great in life, as exemplified by the humility and conduct and relationship the Gov Diri has built over the years.
He described the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as a detribalised personality who does not discriminate against any tribe or person on basis of religion or political affiliation, as could be seen from galaxy of dignitaries that graced the burial of his late father.
“As a principal secretary to former governor Seriake Dickson, now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Governor Douye Diri facilitated Moslem Hajj for the first time and when there was the recent skirmish in Bayelsa , he proactively summoned all the non – Indigenes and the matter was resolved amicably”
“Governor Diri is a proactive personality who delegates and supervises, he also hates eye service.”
He described Gov Diri as a bridge builder across Nigeria, “of which many Nigerians can testify and his appointment of Northerners as Special Assistants is unprecedented and non-parallel. We commended him and applaud him for that exemplary leadership and show of love to the Northern community.”
On his tribute to late pa Diri, Alhaji Musa Saidu, who was personal Assistant to late Harold Dappa Briye and loyal ally to chief Edwin Clark who has been in the south for ages, described late pa Diri as a disciplarian who impacted and bequeathed much to all, and not only his children, as a former Headmaster and Layreader of the Anglican church.
“I sincerely console the immediate family of the deceased, the governor and entire people of the Niger Delta for this great loss.His demise is a great loss and l enjoined them to bear the irreparable loss, adiue pa Diri.”
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He attributed the calibre of personalities to Sampou, unknown to many before now, saying that Governor Diri a leader of good governance has displayed his leadership style which is worthy of emulation.
“The community has attained international and national recognition , as many travellers from East – West road were marvelled by traffic of personalities since the demise of late pa Diri.”
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Bayelsa state Electricity company, Engr Olice Kemenanabo, who described the late father of governor Douye Diri as a disciplarian and inspirational to not only his immediate family, but the entire community and everyone he related with while on planet earth.” He was a father figure to all and we missed him sorely,” he said.
While the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Iti Orugbani, in his tribute, described the late sage, Pa Diri as a disciplarian with the fear of God, which his children including the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has personified in good governance and exemplary leadership.
“Governorship doesn’t emerge anyhow, but
divinely from a God fearing family and our governor epitomises that humility from his humbled upbringing.”
He disclosed that Governor Douye Diri has been a bridge builder and good listener, who accepts superior argument.
Also speaking, flanked by scores of non-indigenes, Chief Chinedu Athur Ngwa , Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, said he had to mobilise the non-indigenes to pay their own tributes and sympathise with the governor on his father’s glorious passage at the age of 88 years.
“We are here to assure the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, that death is inevitable, but to reassure him that he should remain comforted and continue exhibit the worthy exemplary leadership style bequeathed to the family by the father, who many described as a great disciplinarian with fear of God as Layreader and Headmaster, who is worthy of emulation.
Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri died peacefully, though rather unexpectedly, on Sunday , 13th of February, 2023, shortly after the Thanksgiving Service marking the 3rd Anniversary Celebration of the prosperity government.
