WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
When I drive through the streets of Yenagoa around 10pm, even up to 11pm and 12am, and I see the number of people and vehicles that are moving around, I marvel at the level of transformation that has taken place in the state.
On 14th February, which was St. Valentine’s Day, a friend asked me to drop him off at a colleagues birthday night party. At 12am, the streets of Yenagoa were like 7pm. The crowd and activities that i saw shocked me.
Before the inception of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration, at a point, the moment it was 7pm, you see multitudes of Bayelsans rushing home because of insecurity. It was as if people struggled to get home before they were cut off between cross-fires resulting from endless cult supremacy wars.
The insecurity was worsened by deafening darkness. The streets of Yenagoa were darker than any darkness that we could imagine.
The perpetual darkness, insecurity, and dirt resulting from poor sanitation, harsh economic realities, discrimination about Core Ijaw, and others actually affected the emotions and psychology of most Bayelsans.
The challenges reduced Bayelsans to shadows of their old selves. Most Bayelsans lost self-esteem and self-confidence.
The success story of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration has changed everything. Today, you see bright faces devoid of anxiety, uncertainties, and fear of the unknown.
Whenever I visit project sites with my crew members, many things run through my mind. Development and underdevelopment are things of the mind. They are human creations.
Overtime, Gov. Douye Diri has deliberately killed the concept and story of “DIFFICULT TERRAIN” that was always advanced as a reason for the underdevelopment of Bayelsa State.
I am happy that majority of Bayelsans are beginning to realize that Gov. Douye Diri is a special generational gift from Almighty God to Bayelsa State and humanity.
He consciously eliminated the deceptive, divisive, and distractive concept of core Ijaw.
He has succeeded in eliminating enmity, bitterness, and division that was caused by political party membership and affiliations.
Today, Bayelsans are never judged by the political party that they belong to.
Gov. Douye Diri has given Political Freedom and the Right to Make Choices to all Bayelsans. He is one leader who acts based on conviction and not on primordial and parochial sentiments. He does not gag his people. He allows everyone to make choices.
As an advocate for the internalization and institutionalization of the Political Culture and Body Language of Gov. Douye Diri, I believe firmly that the above are some of the surest ways to strengthen our evolving democracy and also enhance rapid growth and development.
It is my fervent prayer like other Bayelsans that Almighty God will continue to strengthen Gov. Douye Diri and all members of the ASSURED PROSPERITY TEAM so that the team shall collectively finish very strong.
– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Technical Adviser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State on Media and Public Affairs.