By Oyosongo Udoyo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri says his administration will continue to honour and support founding fathers of the state for their sacrifices and contributions to the development of the state.
Governor Diri stated this over the weekend during a ceremony organized to mark the 74th birthday anniversary of Hon. Fyneman Wilson at the Chief Dappa Biriye Conference Centre in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that, apart from the founding fathers, government would adopt appropriate measures in celebrating those who make the state proud.
According to Senator Diri, celebrating worthy leaders for their sterling contributions towards the development of Bayelsa would inspire the younger generation to give their best to the state.
Describing the celebrant as a good family man and astute politician, he urged the political class not to play politics at the detriment of healthy family values.
His words, “Hon. Fyneman Wilson has been as constant as the Northern Star. Since I knew him as he stepped into politics, there is no time I’ve heard that Fyneman is in the opposition or he’s on the losing side.
“Another lesson we have to learn from him apart from the issues of prudence, cost consciousness and transparency others have mentioned here, is that, he is a family man to the core. He has never left his family unattended to.
“If you play politics and you neglect your family, then you are not a good politician because if you don’t take care of your children now that you have the capacity to do so as a politician, when you retire or die, you will not have rest even in your grave.
“In vain we labour, if we don’t have good children that will take over from us by either stepping into our shoes or step into other directions. The values we leave with them are the values they will propagate.”
Speaking as Chairmen of the occasion, Chief Thompson Okorotie highlighted the efforts of Hon. Fyneman Wilson towards the creation and development of the state.
Chief Okorotie, who described the celebrant as a humble politician, great mobilizer and prudent businessman, stressed the need for Ijaw people to honour their leaders especially during their lifetime.
In their separate remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Konbowei Benson lauded the celebrant as a political icon who has served Bayelsa and the old Rivers States creditably well.
Also speaking, a former acting Governor of the state, Chief Nestor Binabo, attributed his achievements in life to God and the guardian role played by Hon Wilson.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, the state PDP Women Leader, Dame Christie Ebbelli, Dr Osusu, former Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon Michael Magbisa, among others, also extolled the leadership qualities of the celebrant and prayed God to bless him with more years of good health and prosperity.
In his response, Hon. Fyneman Wilson thanked God for the grace betowed on him to mark his 74th birthday in good health.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Diri, his deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and others present at the ceremony for the honour done him and his family.
