Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has posthumously conferred an honour on late military ruler General Sani Abacha at a gala dinner marking the state's 30th anniversary, held on Thursday night, October 1, 2026, at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
Abacha created Bayelsa on October 1, 1996, alongside five other states, uniting Ijaw communities that had previously been scattered across several states where they existed as minorities. The award was presented in recognition of his role in the state's creation, with members of his family, including Abba Abacha and Fatima Gumsu Abacha, present at the ceremony.
Diri Defends Abacha's Legacy at Anniversary Event
Speaking at the event themed "Celebrating Legacies", Diri said Abacha warranted ongoing recognition for bringing together Ijaw communities. "General Abacha might mean different things to different people, but to Bayelsans, he is the one who freed us from oppression," Diri said. "He freed us from injustice and gave a homogeneous state for a people that had been balkanised into various states and made us a minority in some."
The governor also reflected on the state's growth over three decades, noting that Bayelsa had no tertiary institution when it was created but now has more than five, covering universities, polytechnics and a college of education. He highlighted the expansion of road infrastructure, from a single-lane Mbiama-Yenagoa road to a network of dualised highways and three senatorial roads.
63 Honourees Recognised at Gala Dinner
Altogether, 63 individuals and institutions received awards for their contributions to the creation and development of the state. Those honoured included Abacha, former President Goodluck Jonathan, political activist Isaac Boro, the late first civilian governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and politician Harold Dappa-Biriye. Former military administrators, among them the late Caleb Olubolade, Phillip Ayeni, Habu Daura and Edor Obi, were also recognised, as was former governor Seriake Dickson.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience Jonathan attended the ceremony, alongside National Assembly members, diplomats, business leaders and government officials. Jonathan, speaking on behalf of the awardees, dedicated his own honour to Alamieyeseigha, who had appointed him deputy governor.
Jonathan Commends State's Progress, Praises Diri
Jonathan acknowledged that while the state had made notable progress, there was still ground to cover. "Although we have not reached where we are supposed to be, I am happy where we are. I am happy that Bayelsa State was created, and we have gained tremendously," Jonathan said. "Bayelsans will always remain grateful to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, who made it possible for Bayelsa to be among the last six states he created."
Jonathan also praised Diri for organising the anniversary and for recognising those who shaped the state's history. The event underscored the state's achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure since its creation, with Diri stating, "Do we talk about the healthcare transformation? So much has been done, and we can rightly say that Bayelsa has moved forward and is no longer where it used to be."
