Sunday, 07 May 2023 03:56

Atiku, Obi meet in Bayelsa at Diri dad’s funeral

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the February 25 presidential election and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, met on Saturday at the burial of the father of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

The duo got talking at the funeral held at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state in what appears to be their first public meeting after the general elections.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former and several prominent Nigerian leaders, also bid farewell to Pa Abraham Diri.

Others in attendance include former first lady, Patience Jonathan, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, state governors, including  Ifeanyi Okowa, (Delta), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and his wife, Betty, Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Darius Ishiaku (Taraba).

Governors-elect of Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Taraba and Niger states were also in attendance.

Speaking during the funeral, Osinbajo described Pa Diri as an exemplary teacher and community leader, who gave his children proper upbringing.

He said, “We are here to celebrate the life and times of Pa Diri. The array of personalities here is an indication that Pa Diri brought up and nurtured the aspirations of so many children.”

He noted that the late Diri’s reward as a teacher came not just through his son, but attracted so many notable Nigerians to Sampou.

“He could not have imagined that an array of personalities would come here to honour him. According to the book of Proverbs 14:23, “in all labour, there is profit.”

Former President Jonathan, in his remarks, said he was with the bereaved Diri family to appreciate Obasanjo, Osinbajo and all those who came to honour the family and the people of the state.

He recalled that Pa Diri died on a day that the present administration in the state was marking its third anniversary and prayed God to strengthen Diri and his family.

Also, former Vice President Atiku said: “There is a special relationship between me and the people of Bayelsa State. l am with you as a family and that is why l am physically here.”

Responding, Governor Diri said he and his family as well as the entire state were humbled by the large turnout of high profile dignitaries in his community to bid his father farewell.

He said: “We are indeed overwhelmed. There can be no love more than that. I would not have thought even in the wildest of my imaginations that there would be a large number of high profile Nigerians here to celebrate my father.”

Diri, who described his father as a disciplinarian, noted that he impacted positively on all who crossed his path and they all shared his positive attributes.

 

Daily Trust

April 19, 2025

Nigerian Stock market rebounds as capitalization rises by N240bn

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) bounced back on Thursday as market capitalization increased by N240…
April 20, 2025

Datti Baba-Ahmed: ‘The signs are there that Tinubu’ll lose re-election’; Presidency says president’s great performance…

Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon…
April 16, 2025

A strategy to get more done—and feel less stressed

For some people, the expression “You have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé”…
April 19, 2025

UFO: US Navy reports on mysterious aircraft launching from sea

A group of unidentified flying objects spotted by Navy sailors is raising eyebrows after witnesses…
April 19, 2025

Gunmen kill 17 in fresh attacks on Benue communities

Suspected armed militia launched deadly attacks on communities in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas…
April 20, 2025

What to know after Day 1151 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Putin announces temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine war Russian President Vladimir Putin has…
April 15, 2025

Is it finally safe to ditch your phone case? I put it to the test

Thomas Germain With smartphones tougher than ever, a new wave of phone minimalists say cases…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.