Christmas: Gov Diri awards scholarship to two girls, assures of better days ahead

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to seven-year-old Eluan Turnah and 16-year-old Stella Ezekiel as part of his administration”s effort at encouraging budding talents to achieve excellence.

The governor announced the scholarship even as he assured Bayelsans at Christmas that there are better days ahead.

Senator Diri announced the scholarship awards in recognition of the girls’ sterling performance during the 2020 Carol of Nine Lessons at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday night.

Stella, a student of St. Jude’s Model Girls College, Amarata, stunned the audience when she gave a chronological order of Biblical events before the birth of Jesus Christ (BC) and after his death (AD) as well as the order of past governors and acting governors of the  state from the time of its creation in 1996.

Also, Eluan, the little daughter of Alabh George Turnah, the governor’s Executive Assistant on Public Affairs and Orientation, gave a sterling solo performance of a song.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as noting that the scholarship would cover their secondary and university education and possibly up to Doctorate degree if they do well.

His words: “I hereby announce a scholarship award covering university and secondary education for the two girls who have demonstrated excellence. Clearly, we have budding talents in our state.”

Senator Diri attended the event with his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other top government functionaries where Miss Eluan rendered a solo while Miss Ezekiel reeled off hand the chronology before the birth of Jesus Christ (BC) and after his death (AD) in the Bible as well as those that administered the state from creation till date.

The governor, who read the 9th Lesson from the book of John 1:1-5, expressed his resolve to make the development of youths one of the cardinal objectives of his administration as they are the future leaders of the state.

Recounting the challenges he faced while contesting the governorship election, Senator Diri said all those who contested with him were not adversaries because the race would not have been worthwhile without them.

“As politicians from Bayelsa, as few as we are, the only way is to forgive ourselves. All those who contested with me are not my enemies. Without them we wouldn’t have crossed the seven seas.”

He urged people of the state to support his government’s prosperity agenda in fostering peace, stability and sustainable development.

In his exhortation, the General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace Church International, Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, dedicated the coming year to God, stressing that God would empower Senator Diri’s leadership to execute all that it has set out to achieve.

Speaking on the topic, “When God Speaks,” Apostle Aggrey stated that whatever God has ordained would surely manifest in the fullness of time.

He commended the leadership style of Senator Diri and his team especially in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that despite the ravaging health crisis across the country, the casualty figure in the state was minimal.

Meanwhile, Senator Douye Diri, has charged citizens and residents of Bayelsa state not to be discouraged by the effects of COVID-19 and the attendant economic challenges.

Governor Diri, in his Christmas message to people of the state, expressed optimism that despite the challenges of the moment, there are better days ahead.

He urged the people to reflect on the message of the birth of Jesus, which is about love, peace and hope.

“For a world in need of healing and encouragement, the entire Christmas story is a harbinger of love, peace and hope.

“Bayelsa State, like much of the world, is also facing demanding times. But God has kept us through this difficult situation and season. More than at any other time, as we commemorate the birth of Jesus, we ought to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the fact that there is still hope of good tidings ahead of us as a people and as a state.”

The governor noted that despite the disruption and the hardship during the year, the promise of prosperity for everyone in Bayelsa still endures. 

“Indeed, the prosperity of Bayelsa State is not negotiable,” he assures.

Governor Diri also stated that for Bayelsa, this should be a season of gratitude and thanksgiving considering the gloom in the state at this time a year ago.

“We have much to be thankful for. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively mild in our state. The peace and security paradigm has significantly improved and we just had an incident-free senatorial bye-elections, devoid of bloodletting. 

“That is why I am fully persuaded that better days are ahead of us.  Life will return to normal and by this time next year, when we congregate again to enjoy the festivities with our loved ones, things would have improved. I am confident that the Lord will keep us all till then.”

He also urged those that are privileged to be mindful of the people having tough time coping with harsh conditions and for them to extend their generosity and goodwill to as many as possible. 

“This is not only in consonance with the true spirit of Christmas but encapsulates the character and nature of the average Bayelsan. 

“Let us also endeavour to celebrate responsibly and carefully and avoid acts that endanger our lives and that of our loved ones while observing the COVID-19 protocols at all times.”