Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has urged youths of the state not to allow life challenges deprive them of fulfilling their God-given destinies to positively impact society.
Gov Diri, gave the encouragement at separate civic receptions in Yenagoa in honour of two illustrious sons of the state, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Abraham Thomas-Ako and Comrade Clinton Ikpitibo, who was recently elected as the national secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).
Speaking at the reception held at the weekend at Ayalla Hotel and organised by the people of Nembe Constituency 111 to honour Thomas-Ako, the governor identified deliberate effort and perseverance as prerequisites for genuine and sustainable success.
Gov. Diri, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo,
congratulatedThomas-Ako for achieving the feat, which he noted should serve as a source of inspiration to the younger generation to excel in their endeavours.
“God has embedded in us distinctive qualities. Those who add value to the society are the salt and light of the world. We want our youths to see AIG Thomas-Ako as a role model.
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“As a government we believe in celebrating not just the dead but those who are alive. Bayelsa State over the decades have been producing the best brains in various fields of endeavour.
“For instance, we had the likes of late Amb. Lawrence Ekpebu as the first African first class graduate from Harvard University, renowned poets, John Pepper Clark and Gabriel Okara among several others who added value to society and made the state proud,” the governor said.
Speaking later at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Gov. Diri, acknowledged the steadfastness and hard work of Comrade Clinton Ikpitibo, which had earned him the exalted position of general secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers.
Chairman of the event, Chief Robert Enogha, congratulated Thomas-Ako, saying that Bayelsa was proud of his remarkable achievements.
Chief Enogha, who described the newly promoted police officer as a friend, praised the celebrant for working hard to attain his present status.
The paramount ruler of Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area, King Iyerite Awululu, observed that despite the educational challenges that existed in the early days at Okoroba/Aggrisaba communities in Nembe, Thomas-Ako rose to achieve excellence by dint of hardwork and perseverance.