Bayelsa @30: Diri Unveils Anniversary Logo, Winner Gets N3m
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has unveiled the official logo for the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state, with the theme, “Bayelsa @30: Celebrating Legacies.”
Diri unveiled the logo on Wednesday during the 197th meeting of the Bayelsa State Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa, in the presence of the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and other members of the council.
The governor commended the Ministry of Information, Orientation and Strategy for providing young Bayelsans with an opportunity to contribute to the anniversary celebrations through the logo design competition.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to participatory governance, noting that citizens should be given opportunities to contribute their ideas and talents beyond the traditional budgetary process.
Diri also praised the creativity and ingenuity of Bayelsan youths, urging them to remain productive, innovative and committed to developing their scientific and technical skills as the world increasingly embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The governor particularly expressed disagreement with the disqualification of AI-generated entries, saying Bayelsa was already moving into the AI era and that creativity demonstrated through the use of the technology should not automatically be disregarded.
“That is why I keep saying everywhere that the youths of Bayelsa are not lazy. It is clear that our youths are productive.”
Diri further apologised to participants whose AI-generated designs were disqualified, stressing that the state was positioning itself to embrace emerging technologies.
Earlier, Commissioner Koku-Obiyai presented the five finalists in the logo design competition to the governor and members of the State Executive Council.
She explained that the winning logo captures key elements of Bayelsa’s identity, including three decades of resilience, culture, oil and gas, aquatic heritage and the indomitable spirit of the Ijaw people.
According to the commissioner, the competition lasted for 10 days and attracted 465 entries, with more than 350 of the submissions identified as AI-generated.
At the end of the selection process, Godwill Ayibakepre Waribugo emerged as the winner and received the N3 million grand prize.
Four other finalists — Prosper Jerome, Daniel Youdeowei, Ibo Tamarapreye and Success Azibapu Eligha — each received N150,000 consolation prizes.
The 30th anniversary celebration is expected to highlight Bayelsa State’s journey, heritage, achievements and contributions to national development since its creation in 1996.
