Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has expressed profound sadness over the death of a former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun, who passed away at the age of 87 on 15 July in Abuja.
Governor's Tribute to a Pioneer
In a statement issued on Friday in Yenagoa by his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri described the late professor of veterinary medicine as an academic colossus whose contributions to scholarship and national development are outstanding and immeasurable. He said Isoun's death is a huge loss to the Ijaw nation, Bayelsa State, and Nigeria at large.
The governor recalled Isoun's pioneering role as the first vice chancellor of the then University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) in Port Harcourt, old Rivers State. According to Diri, the late Isoun laid solid foundations for Nigeria's first university of science and technology and later engendered an ICT revolution during his tenure as minister.
ICT and Space Technology Legacy
Isoun served as Minister of Science and Technology under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2007. He was acknowledged as a driving force behind Nigeria's space and ICT revolution. He spearheaded the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and was instrumental in the creation of Galaxy Backbone Plc, a government ICT company tasked with harmonising communication networks and building a robust national broadband backbone.
Under his guidance, Nigeria recorded major advancements in space technology, including the launch of the country's first satellites, such as NigeriaSat-1 and Nigcomsat 1R.
Role in Bayelsa Creation
The culture icon, who served as chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (Central Zone), also played a pivotal role in the creation of Bayelsa State out of the old Rivers State in 1996. Governor Diri extended condolences to his family and community, urging them to take solace in the late elder statesman's invaluable contributions to national development.
“The Odi-born scientist would be greatly missed for his candour, wise counsel and commitment to Ijaw socio-cultural values,” the governor said.
