30th Anniversary Of Bayelsa Creation: Gov Diri Visits Abacha Family

Nelson Utip

As Bayelsa State Marks 30 years of it’s creation,  the governor, Douye Diri has paid a courtesy visit to the family of late Gen. Sani Abacha who’s regime created the state out of Rivers State in Abuja.

Diri was warmly received at the Asokoro residence of the Abachas by his widow, Her Excellency Dr. Maryam Abacha, the eldest son, Mohammed, his other children and grandchildren.

During the visit, Maryam, the former first lady had vivid recollections and shared nostalgic memories of the family’s time in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when Abacha was Brigade Commander of the Bori Camp.

It is on record that Gen Abacha hearkened to the yearning of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and created a homogeneous state for them in the Niger Delta Region .The dream became a reality on October 1, 1996 when he pronounced the creation of Bayelsa State out of the old Rivers State.

As part of events lined up for the celebrations, the Bayelsa State Government will honour Abacha posthumously among other illustrious sons and daughters of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation in appreciation for his kind gesture.

The anniversary celebrations, which commence with the inauguration of projects executed by the Assured Prosperity Administration, will culminate in a four-day programme of activities from September 28 and rounded off on October 1 with a state dinner and awards ceremony.