HON WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
Since the creation of man, billions of humans have lived, even as the present world population stands at well over seven billion.
But as humans evolve, only a few individuals and names create significant impacts, whether positive or negative that stay in human memories for generations.
In human history, names such as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, holy Prophet Mohammed, Socrates, Karl Marx, Martin Luther King Jnr., Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Madiba Mandela, Mohatma Gandhi, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, Maradona, Pele, Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler and many more, do not need introduction. Their actions and inaction in human history speak volumes.
Also, in the history of the Nigerian state, many names have survived the test of time, and in every dispensation, few names stand as symbols of existence and greatness of that specific era.
The name: DOUYE DIRI is one great, glorious, and iconic name that has reechoed from time to time for close to two decades or thereabout.
From a very humble beginning as a classroom teacher, Gov. Douye Diri saw the need for the emancipation cum liberation of the Ijaw Nation from economic and political servitude. The above burden cum quest for a better stake and future for Ijaw people in the Nigerian state made him to join the Ijaw National Congress (INC) where he served as the pioneer Organizing Secretary.
Thereafter, he ventured into politics where he has served in many capacities including as Director General of Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Nigerian Senate and presently as the incumbent Governor of the only homogeneous Ijaw state in the country.
In the history of our contemporary democracy both at the national level and Bayelsa State in particular, Gov. Douye Diri has distinguished himself in such a way and manner that his good works and positive impacts can never be ignored.
Some remarkable things about him that even his worst critics agree with are his humble, calm, and peaceful disposition. He is one leader who shares love and preaches peace and unity at all times.
He does not encourage hatred and disunity.
Gov. Douye Diri does not encourage enmity among Bayelsans and others. Today, it is difficult to identify Bayelsans by the political party they belong. Rather, vast majority of Bayelsans prefer to be identified as Bayelsans. They now deemphasize political party affiliation.
He does not listen to gossip and blackmails. He believes in dealing with people individually. He does not judge or draw hasty conclusions about people based on rumours or things that others say about an individual.
He believes that every human is created uniquely and endowed with special gifts and qualities.
He does not spread bitterness.
He does not discriminate or segregate.
He believes so much in teamwork.
He is compassionate about the needy and vulnerable people.
He is passionate about the growth and development of Bayelsa State and Bayelsans in general.
He believes so much in capacity building and empowerment of people.
It is a generally known fact that Senator Douye Diri does not forget people he met while climbing the ladder of greatness.
In all, Gov. Douye Diri symbolizes love, peace, unity, growth, and development.
Moving forward, there is need to institutionalize and internalize the body language and all the positive things that Gov. Douye Diri represents.
– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli,
Technical Adviser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State on Media and Public Affairs.