Diri Visits Abacha Family Ahead Of Bayelsa State 30th Anniversary

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has paid a courtesy visit to the family of the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in Abuja, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.

Governor Diri, who disclosed the visit in a statement, said he was warmly received at the Abacha family’s residence in Asokoro by the late military leader’s widow, Her Excellency Dr. Maryam Abacha, his eldest son, Mohammed, other family members and grandchildren.

During the visit, Dr. Maryam Abacha reportedly shared nostalgic memories of the family’s time in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when General Abacha served as Brigade Commander at the Bori Camp.

Governor Diri described General Abacha as the Nigerian leader who responded to the long-standing agitation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality for a separate, homogenous state in the Niger Delta.

According to the governor, that aspiration became a reality on October 1, 1996, when General Abacha announced the creation of Bayelsa State from the former Rivers State.

Diri said the Bayelsa State Government would posthumously honour General Abacha as part of activities marking the state’s 30th anniversary, alongside other distinguished sons and daughters of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation.

The governor noted that the honour was in recognition of General Abacha’s role in giving the Ijaw people of the area a distinct political identity, as well as the progress Bayelsa has recorded since its creation.

The 30th anniversary celebrations will commence with the inauguration of projects executed by the Diri administration under its Assured Prosperity Administration.

According to the governor, the celebrations will culminate in a four-day programme of activities beginning on September 28 and ending on October 1 with a state dinner and awards ceremony.

Bayelsa State was created on October 1, 1996, from the old Rivers State by the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha.