I’ll leave a better Bayelsa, Diri says at father’s memorial service

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has said that his major preoccupation is to bequeath the legacy of a better Bayelsa and society at large than he met it.

Diri stated this on Wednesday during a memorial service in honour of his father, Pa Abraham Diri, at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Pa Diri, a retired Headmaster passed on Feb. 12, 2023 at the aged of 88.

The governor said his late father inculcated positive virtues in him and his siblings and promised to continue to remember him and others who laboured to make society a better place.

Diri said that he would leave a better society for his children than what his father left, and that his children would also do the same for their children.

The governor urged Bayelsans, particularly politicians, to love one another and avoid acts capable of destabilising the state.

He advised the youths not to be deceived into believing that joining a cult would make them achieve their aspirations.

Diri said the only group he belonged to was God’s group while recalling his childhood experience.

“We went to school in mud houses but today we are handing over something better to our children.

“Our children will hand over something better to their own children. Society will continue to grow but it does not grow one day.

“If there is no peace, there will be no development. Our people should love one another.

“If the state is in constant division, you will drive away everybody. Even the citizens will not want to come home again.

“Let us not pull down one another. Instead, let us support ourselves and our state will be better for it,” he said.

The governor used the opportunity to appreciate the church, political associates and everyone who attended the service.

In his sermon, the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rev. Funkuro Amgbare, described the late Pa Diri as a man who left legacies that positively impacted the society.

Bishop Amgbare, who noted that the late Diri was hospitable, a trainer, unifier and peace maker, urged the congregation to emulate him in order to achieve a better society.

The service featured thanksgiving,

prayers, worship sessions as well as song rendition by the late Diri’s children led by the governor.