By David Owei, Bayelsa

Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said the death of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was a sad moment for all Bayelsans.

Dr. Jonathan stated this on Saturday during a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family in Government House, Yenagoa.

The former president recalled how Ewhrudjakpo, who represented the governor at his foundation’s democracy dialogue programme in Benin city, Edo State, mobilised the state assembly and executive council members for the event.

“For me, he was somebody my foundation and l will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes.

“This year in Accra, Ghana, he did the same. On November 20 this year, he also mobilised assembly members and commissioners to Abuja to celebrate the 10th year of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation. Whenever l am having a programme, Bayelsa State is always represented. It is quite a sad moment for all of us,” Jonathan stated.

The former president eulogised Ewhrudjakpo, describing him as very humble and that nobody had anything negative to say about him.

“I was also a deputy governor but he worked harder than me. He appeared not to rest. This is even a lesson for us all to find time to rest. We pray that this state does not experience this ugly incident again. We pray God to cushion the effect of the sad incident on the state, particularly on the immediate family.”

While thanking the former president for being the first to officially pay the government and the late Senator Ewhrudjakpo family a condolence visit, Governor Douye Diri said he had directed that an autopsy be undertaken to medically determine the cause of his death.

The governor also cautioned those politicising the unfortunate incident, particularly on the social media, admonishing them to refrain from it and rather eulogise the memory of the man who he said served the state with all his heart.

He expressed appreciation to the former president for standing with the government in good and challenging times.

He said: “I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the death of our dearly beloved deputy governor. If anyone loves him, this is the time to show it.

“I have directed that an autopsy be done to reveal the cause of his death. There are a lot of nonsense going on on social media. If anybody is issuing any statement to eulogise him, please end at that and mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood. That is why we have declared three working days of mourning and we expect everyone in the state to do what the former president has done today.

“Let us love one another to the point of death because all of us will answer this call one day.”

Governor Diri and the former president thereafter visited the wife of the late deputy governor, Barr. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at their residence in Government House.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bayelsa State Chapter, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The association described Thursday as a black day for Bayelsa State following reports that the Deputy Governor collapsed in his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where he was later confirmed dead.

SWAN Bayelsa noted that it is yet to come to terms with the painful reality that the hardworking, dutiful, and dedicated public servant is no more.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Mrs. Timinepre Ohia, and the Secretary, Mr. Patrick Ndubuisi, the association described the passing as regrettable, stating that a huge vacuum has been created by his demise.

The statement highlighted the smooth synergy and camaraderie between the late Deputy Governor, his principal, Governor Douye Diri, and the Commissioner for Sports Development, which led to the elevation of sports in the state and the winning of several laurels at national and international competitions.

SWAN further noted that the late Deputy Governor’s influence and active involvement in sporting affairs greatly enhanced the growth of sports journalism in Bayelsa State, positioning the association at its best in recent times.

The association expressed its heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, and other family members, urging them to remain strong in this moment of grief and to take solace in the fact that the late Deputy Governor, known for his compassionate nature and strong Christian faith, has gone to be with the Lord.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a friend with whom he had an outstanding relationship and was never seen or treated as a subordinate.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Senator Diri as stating this on Friday night when he led a delegation comprising state legislators and top government officials on a visit to Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo and his late deputy’s family at the official residence in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa governor expressed shock at the sudden passing of his deputy on December 11, saying he had a long and cordial working relationship with him while they served in the immediate past administration in the state.

According to him, “we came a long way from the leadership of the government of my predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson. We worked together for eight years and now in our own government, we have been together for almost six years.

“You know what it means when you have a deputy governor who works with you loyally. He was dependable, workaholic and very resourceful.

“We came together as friends and brothers. Our working relationship was not that of a boss and subordinate but it was that of a brother and friend yet recognising that l was his principal.

“Ewhrudjakpo was a man of many parts. He wore the cap of a lawyer and a public health official, who took charge of the committee on primary healthcare. Coincidentally, today (Friday), the state government received a primary healthcare award in Abuja.

“God called him when the ovation was loudest. We believed that we were going to serve together for eight years and we were almost there. Now, how do l celebrate our sixth anniversary in office without Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo?”

Describing his deputy as an upright man who stood for justice and always insisted on doing what was right, Diri said his death was not only painful but a great loss to the state, and urged the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community to submit to the will of God, taking solace in the fact that he attained remarkable achievements during his short but impactful lifetime.

The governor assured that government would support the family and take over sponsorship of the children’s education to any level as well as ensure that his staff remained part of government.

He equally assured the Ofoni community that their illustrious son, who died in active service, would be given a befitting state burial.

Responding on behalf of the family, one-time member of the state assembly and a former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Oyovwhi Osusu, expressed gratitude to the governor for identifying with the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community over the death of the deputy governor.

Dr. Osusu, who said the family and the community were in deep shock over the tragic incident, however attributed it to God’s will and thanked the state government for its support.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere, House Leader, Monday Obolo-Bubou, and other state legislators.

Also on the entourage were the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Irorodamie Komonibo, members of the state executive council, President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, and chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Agwana, among others.