By Kola Oredipe
The excitement and joy that came with the announcement of the creation of Bayelsa State on October 1, 1996 knew no bounds.
All over Nigeria and in the diaspora, the Ijaw people celebrated the eventual recognition of the ethnic nationality after years of collective struggles and hard work by the leaders for a homogenous Ijaw State.
It was no doubt a momentous occasion to all sons and daughters of Bayelsa State. It was a dream come true to satisfy the yearnings of all Ijaw people, unarguably the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The story of the creation remains very inspiring and emotional as the people gradually occupy their rightful place in the Nigerian political space.
The young, women and men participated actively in the long processes that led to the birth of Bayelsa State by the instrumentality of the authority of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
The heroic efforts of the founding leaders will continually be acknowledged in the annals of Bayelsa State.
History would be kind to the Nigerian Civil War hero and Kaiama-born late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, for his bravery to demand for equity and self-determination by the Niger Delta, a revolution that set the stage for call for a homogenous Ijaw State of Bayelsa.
Twenty-eight years after Bayelsa was created from old Rivers State, this year’s anniversary presents a momentous occasion to reflect on the growth and development of the state and its political journey.
Fact is fact! That Bayelsa State has witnessed tremendous growth in these past years is indeed true and not a ruse.
Under successive administrations from 1996, the trajectory of development has been amazing. The level of infrastructure notwithstanding the high expectations of the people could never be compared to an era preceding the creation.
Interestingly, four military administrators and five civilian governors had presided over the affairs of the state and each had made his own valued contributions.
The current Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has taken up the mantle but it must be noted that the first civilian governor, the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyesiegha; former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; Chief Timipre Sylva; and the immediate past Governor, Seriake Dickson, performed to the best of their abilities. Government is indeed a continuum.
There are great stories across Bayelsa State and the people freely share such in terms of infrastructural development including roads, education, health, stadium, rural development, economic development and human capacity building.
Today, there are three Universities, polytechnics, a college of education, other institutions, health facilities, hotels, night clubs, federal agencies and several roads within and outside Yenagoa.
Before creation, there were no roads to several communities particularly, the riverine places.
Today, Amassoma community is not only connected by road but it is hosting the Niger Delta University. It is the same story with several communities in both Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas where Bolu-Orua, Ebedebiri, Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, Ofoni, Ayamasa, Aleibiri, Isampou and Ekeremor main town have all been linked by roads.
The people of Nembe no longer travel by water from Yenagoa or Ogbia main town as a road has connected them. That is development and it is interesting to note that the road is further going to Brass Island. And someone will still say, no development has happened in Bayelsa State.
What will any critic of Bayelsa progress tell citizens of ancient Angiama town, in Southern Ijaw LGA, home of one of the founding fathers, Late N. A. Frank-Opigo, when they remember the pre-creation. Now they safely drive to Angiama from Swali under 20 minutes, a place hitherto accessed by boat in a journey not less than 40 minutes on speed boat. Is that not grade A development?
Looking at the level of development in the State, the pace of transformation of Yenagoa city as the capital of Bayelsa State is better imagined by those living in the area before state creation, where Yenagoa was merely a local government headquarter.
Today, the single lane road into Yenagoa and former footpaths have paved ways for three to four dual carriages, internal roads and modern buildings now dot the state capital, and many other new infrastructure all over.
Certainly, the trajectory of development of the state has surpassed the expectations of many people coupled with the political journey, which threw up Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as the first minority from the South South to become Vice President and subsequently the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A political win for the South-South people who had complained of political neglect and injustice over the years.
Taking the baton from the Restoration Government of Senator Seriake Dickson, who left indelible mark after 8 years in office, incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has left no one in doubt as to his capacity to steer the ship of the state in the right direction to meet the aspirations of the founding fathers.
He is pursuing an urban renewal programme to build a befitting state capital, provision of affordable housing schemes, health care, improved power, education, economic development, industrialisation, youth and women empowerment and sports development. The civil service is already feeling the impact of the Prosperity Government since February 2020 with timely and regular payment of salaries and pensions.
In his first four years, the Prosperity Administration initiated new projects and completed a number of inherited ones across various sectors.
There were projects hitherto considered as suicidal under previous administrations in terms of cost and duration. But Gov. Diri has bell the cat to initiate such projects as construction of Nembe-Brass road and the construction of bridge across River Nun as a component of the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road.
Beyond road infrastructures, the present government has made significant strides in peace and security, sports, education, healthcare, human capacity building, empowerment and skills acquisition.
These are indeed all a testament to the power of unity, cooperation, and a shared vision for development in Bayelsa State.
A new Bayelsa beckons under Governor Diri as he recently launched a new development paradigm tagged, ASSURED Prosperity Agenda. The government is poised to building a new Yenagoa city, 1000 housing units for the people, new commissioners and legislative quarters, new roads and develop an independent power plant to attract new investments and stir the local production.
He is starting the real journey of industrialisation with all the potential in Agriculture.
A leader who is more concerned about the well-being of his people, Governor Diri, who himself played active role in the movement for the creation of the State has shown real capacity to translate the vision of the founding fathers into reality.
With his vast experience and network, Governor Diri wants to make a difference and the signs are everywhere. It is for a fact that the people desire and yearn for greater development in various sectors of the state economy, sustenance of hope for a greater tomorrow is more reassuring and important for the State.
Twenty eight years gone past, there can only be a better future and instead of groaning over a presumed years of under-development, the prosperity administration has picked up the gauntlets to chart a new course of steady progression to cover up the lost years and strive to meet up the vision of the founding fathers of the state.
The ship of state no doubt is sailing on the positive direction and clearly so, with a well thought- out development model for the Prosperity government to succeed.
The people of Bayelsa are surely in safe hands in a journey to build a new Bayelsa, where peace, unity and love will prevail.
At 28, there is every course to celebrate Bayelsa and her journey of statehood in the collective drive of the people to open up Bayelsa for rapid development.
Congratulations to all Bayelsans!
Oredipe, is Director-General, New Media to the Governor of Bayelsa State.