By: Amos Odhe, Yenagoa.
It was celebration galore last weekend as leadership and members of the Bayelsa West political family as well as friends of the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, converged on his Ofoni country-home to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Captain Matthew Karimo, noted that though belated, the Bayelsa West Political Family deemed it fit to identify with Senator Ewhrudjakpo on his 60th birthday, describing him as an illustrious son that has made the Senatorial District proud in various ways.
Captain Karimo, who stressed that the Bayelsa-Number-Two man deserves the honour, expressed gratitude to the crowd for defying the downpour to grace the event at very short notice.
He however said he was not surprised at the impressive turnout some weeks after the Deputy Governor marked his 60th Birthday on the 5th of September, considering the achievements and the impact “the celebrant is making in the lives of people within and outside Bayelsa West.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Ogbere and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Suru Oyarede, thanked God for gifting Bayelsa with Senator Ewhrudjakpo whom they said is loyally working with Governor Douye Diri to provide quality leadership and good governance in the state.
Also, the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mrs Alice Tangi, the Chairperson, Ekeremor Rural Development Authority, Mrs Deme Pamooso and a representative of Bayelsa West PDP women, Mrs Julie Okerena, described the Deputy Governor as a dependable leader that is loved by his people.
According to them, the impressive attendance at the event was a testament to the organic solidarity and love the people of Bayelsa West have for their son, Senator Ewhrudjakpo who had proved his mettle in various capacities as a public figure.
In his response, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was represented by the Chairman, Visitation Panel of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Dr O.O. Osusu, thanked the organizers of the ceremony and the people of Bayelsa West for the honour done him.
He particularly thanked Governor Diri and the people of Bayelsa West for their abiding support over the years, stressing that without them and the special grace of God he would not have attained his present height in life.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who prayed God to bless all who identified with him on his 60th birthday, which he described as milestone age, urged the people to remain united with a view to attracting more development to the area.
Dignitaries who graced the event were serving and past lawmakers, including the Member representing Sagbama Constituency 1 at the state House of Assembly, Dr Godbless Oyinke, his Nembe Constituency 1 counterpart, Hon. George Brah, and an elder statesman, Hon. Fyneman Wilson.
Others included the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Thompson Amule and his colleagues from Bayelsa West, Special Advisers including that of Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, Chief Torpedo Amananagha as well as a philanthropist and former Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Hon. Seles Saboh.
Also at the event were the Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Victor Okubonanabo, Acting State Chairperson,
Teachers’ Registration Council, Dr Peremoboere Ugulor, Chief Kemi Prefa, Hon Jonathan Obuebite, among others.
