Saidu, Kemenanabo, Iti Console Diri on Father’s Death

More prominent Nigerians from all parts of Nigeria have continued to pay glowing tributes to the late father of the Bayelsa State governor, Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, who passed on at the age of 88.
Speaking to journalists at Sampou, the leader of Northerners and the Arewa community in the South-South of Nigeria, Alhaji Musa Saidu, expressed his condolences to not only the immediate family of the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, but the entire South-South over “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 Senator Diri as a detribalised personality who does not discriminate against any tribe or person on basis religion or political affiliation, as “can be seen from the 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 abhors eye service,” Saidu said.
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 nonparallel, we commended him and applauded 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 an ally to Chief Edwin Clark, who has been in the south for ages, described late Pa Diri as a disciplinarian who impacted and bequeathed much to all, and not only his children, as a former headmaster and lay-reader of the Anglican Church.
“I sincerely consoled 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 enjoin them to bear the irreparable loss.”
He attributed the caliber of personalities present at Sampou, unknown to many before now, to the leadership and good governance Diri has displayed, describing him as a leader worthy of emulation.
“The community has attained international and national recognition, as many travelers from East-West road were marveled 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, described the late father of Governor Douye Diri as “a disciplinarian 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 disciplinarian with 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 epitomizes that humility from his humble upbringing.”
He disclosed that Governor Douye Diri has been a bridge builder and good listener, who accepts superior argument.
Also speaking while flanked by scores of non-indigenes, Chief Arthur Ngwa, special assistant to the governor on Special Duties said he had to mobilize the non-indigenes to pay their own tributes and sympathize 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 to 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 lay-reader and headmaster, who is worthy of emulation.”
Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri died on Sunday, 13th of February, 2023 shortly after the thanksgiving service marking the 3rd anniversary celebration of the ‘Prosperity Government.’