Bayelsa State’s weekly Prosperity Walk, on Thursday morning, recorded an unprecedented turnout in honour of the departed deputy governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Douye Diri on Wednesday during the 177th state executive council urged people of the state to be part of the five-kilometre walk as a way of honouring his late deputy, who participated in the programme from the onset.
Government functionaries, including the Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, who was a special guest, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and other state legislators, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Sawyer, commissioners, other appointees as well as civil servants joined the governor in the exercise, which was rounded off at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Addressing the crowd, who were mostly dressed in a customised black T-shirt with Ewhrudjakpo’s picture in front and Lawrence @ 60 at the back, Governor Diri said his deputy’s passing remained painful and difficult to accept.
While appreciating the large number of Bayelsans for honouring him, the governor noted that it was not how long but how well one lived and your impact on the society.
His words: “Ewhrudjakpo’s sudden departure is very painful and very difficult for all of us. When I came up with this weekly walkout policy, I had the support of my deputy. Those who started with us, you can recall that he was part of us.
”In all of our policies that I initiated, my deputy never said no. Instead, he ran with them. So, today, I am very happy that we came out in our numbers to honour him.
“You will all agree that the deputy governor impacted Bayelsa State. He served and he is gone.
”I just want to appreciate everyone. I have never seen this large number since we started. Please do not do it for only today. Continue with it even in this yuletide season at home and your health will be better for it.”
Also at the special walk were the Leader of the House of Assembly, Monday Obolo-Bubou, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, his deputy, Irorodamie Komonibo, among others.
