The Local Organising Committee LOC of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football Tournament , the Prosperity Cup, has congratulated the Governor of Bayelsa state Senator Douye Diri, on his third year anniversary in office.
They also commiserated with the Governor on the demise of his father Pa Abraham Micheal Joseph Diri who passed on recently at the age of 88 years.
The Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, in a statement issued and released in Abuja, described the Governor as a round peg in a round hole, whose support has brought tremendous development to the state especially in the area of sports and youth development which has earned him numerous awards including the recent Sportsville Governor of the Year Award.
According to Mr Akpe, the state has received wide attention and has become the cynosure of all eyes from all sports stakeholders in the country and beyond, following honours and victories the state has recorded in different sporting event, since he assumed office in Febraury 2020.
The DG listed the victories of the state’s owned teams, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens’ victories at the 2021/22 edition of the Aiteo Cup in Benin, Bayelsa Queens winning the Super 6 of the Nigerian Women Football League last year, Bayelsa United’s promotion to the elite league for the first time since 2014, and Team Bayelsa breaking it’s own record by finishing second at the National Sports Festival, after finishing third at the last edition, all during the Diri’s his first 3 years as Governor, amongst other victories. Ono Akpe stressed that the Governor’s achievements in the sports sector in just three years was mind blowing, expressing his optimism that much more will be achieved after his eight year mandate.
While congratulating the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on their successful three years in office, the LOC equally lauded the efforts and contributions of other stakeholders – Youth and Sports Development Commissioner and Olympic Gold medalist Hon Daniel Igali whose untiring efforts led to the successes.
Akpe thanked the Governor for his support and sponsorship towards sports and youth development including the Prosperity Cup: The SDD 15km marathon: The National Scrabble Championship: The National Wrestling Championships amongst others
He also congratulated the governor for also initiating the building of world class sporting facilities in the state most especially the proposed ultra modern stadium planned for the State which would bring more glory in the area of sports and youth development.
The DG while condoling Diri “on behalf of the LOC expressed deep sympathy with Governor and the entire family of Diri on the demise of Papa at the age of 88. Losing a loved one no matter how old and especially a parent is always an emotional experience. We pray that the good lord will grant the soul of Papa eternal rest and comfort our dear Governor and his siblings in this time of grief” he concluded.
