Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, led a delegation comprising members of his cabinet and the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, to pay a condolence visit on the family of the late Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei.
Mrs. Bidei died after a brief illness on December 30, 2024, aged 67.
Gov. Diri, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, recalled how Mrs. Bidei and her husband, Jackson Bidei, a former African wrestling champion, retired director of sports and permanent secretary, were his staunch supporters from the beginning of his political journey.
He described her as an active PDP member, a woman of valour who contributed a lot to the growth and development of the state through the various positions she had occupied.
He said: “Mrs. Bidei and her dear husband, stood by me from the beginning of my political journey till date. They never wavered for one second. It is so sad that we are here for a condolence visit.
“We cannot query or question God. This brings to fore the fact that every one of us are just mortals and only what we do will speak when we are gone.
“Today, our compatriot, active party woman, a member of our state executive council and a woman of valour, who we all thought would continue to contribute to the growth and development of our state, is no more. I never imagined that we would be paying tribute to this woman.
“But in everything, the Bible says we should give thanks to God. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our condolences to the family.”
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Gov. Diri said the state government will take care of the funeral expenses of the late commissioner who died in active service to the state.
Responding, spokesman of the family, Mr. Ebikabowei Otobo, and Mr. Bidei, expressed appreciation to the governor for demonstrating exemplary leadership in personally visiting with members of his cabinet.
The delegation included the lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 1, Mr. Bonnie Ayah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo, the Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, and other top government functionaries.
The entourage also visited recuperating victims of last Friday’s fatal accident in Sagbama that claimed the life of the paramount ruler of Ofoni community, Auditor Onakpohor, at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
