Douye Diri Marks Bayelsa's 30th Anniversary with Focus on Development

On October 1, 2026, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri commemorated the state's 30th anniversary and Nigeria's 66th Independence anniversary. He paid tribute to the founding fathers, acknowledging their sacrifices and the responsibility of the current generation to build a better Bayelsa.

Diri noted that Bayelsa was created on October 1, 1996, by General Sani Abacha after years of advocacy from the Ijaw people for political recognition. He highlighted the state's significant progress over three decades but stressed the need for further development, particularly in roads, electricity, and job creation for youth.

Diri mentioned ongoing projects, including the expansion of the Independent Power Project from 60 megawatts to 100MW, the construction of three senatorial roads, a 30,000-capacity stadium, and a nine-storey state secretariat complex. He acknowledged the challenges inherited at the state's creation, such as inadequate infrastructure and a fragile economy, while emphasizing the importance of continued investment in education, healthcare, and human capital development.