By Ezekiel Awojide
Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa says God called his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, home when the ovation was loudest.
Diri, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Saturday, said this during a visit to the late Ewhrudjakpo’s wife on Friday night.
The governor led a delegation comprising state legislators and top government officials on a visit to Mrs Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo at the official residence in Government House.
“God called him when the ovation was loudest. We believed that we were going to serve together for eight years and we were almost there.
“Now, how do l celebrate our sixth anniversary in office without Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo?”
Diri described his late deputy as a friend with whom he had an outstanding relationship, who was never seen or treated as a subordinate.
The Bayelsa governor said Ewhrudjakpo’s sudden passing on Thursday was shocking.
”We came a long way from the leadership of the government of my predecessor, Sen. Seriake Dickson. We worked together for eight years, and now, in our own government, we have been together for almost six years.
“You know what it means when you have a deputy governor who works with you loyally. He was dependable, a workaholic, and very resourceful.
“We came together as friends and brothers. Our working relationship was not that of a boss and subordinate, but it was that of a brother and friend, yet recognising that I was his principal,” he said.
Diri said the late Ewhrudjakpo was a man of many parts.
“He wore the cap of a lawyer and a public health official, who took charge of the committee on primary healthcare. Coincidentally, on Friday, the state government received a primary healthcare award in Abuja.”
Diri described his deputy as an upright man who stood for justice and always insisted on doing what was right,
He said his death was not only painful but a great loss to the state.
The governor urged the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community to submit to the will of God, taking solace in the fact that he attained remarkable achievements during his short but impactful lifetime.
He assured the family that the government would support them and take over sponsorship of the children’s education to any level.
Diri also gave an assurance that his staff would remain part of his government.
He equally assured the Ofoni community that their illustrious son, who died in active service, would be given a befitting state burial.
Dr Oyovwhi Osusu, according to the statement, responded on behalf of the family,l.
The one-time member of the state assembly and a former Commissioner for Education expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit.
He thanked the governor for identifying with the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community over the death of the deputy governor.
Osusu said the family and the community were in deep shock over the tragic incident.
He, however, attributed it to God’s will and thanked the state government for its support.
The governor, the statement indicated, was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere, House Leader, Monday Obolo-Bubou, and other state legislators.
Also on the entourage were the immediate past deputy governor, retired Rear Adm. Gboribiogha John-Jonah; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Irorodamie Komonibo; members of the state executive council; President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba; and chairman of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Agwana, among others, were also present.
