Diri Dedicates Sports Award to Late Deputy Governor

On Friday, Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri received the Best Sports Governor Award at the second edition of the Newstap/SWAN Five Star Awards held in Lagos. During the event, he reiterated his administration's commitment to making Bayelsa a hub for sports in Nigeria, emphasizing that investments in sports have already yielded positive results.

Diri dedicated the award to the late Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whom he described as a pillar of sports in the state throughout his lifetime. He expressed gratitude to the organizers for recognizing his efforts and noted the importance of engaging youth through sports to combat restiveness and develop talent.

Diri mentioned the construction of a 25,000-capacity Olympic-sized stadium, which will host the 2027 National Sports Festival, and announced plans for a 10-kilometer marathon, the first of its kind in the state. He concluded by stating that the award reflects the ongoing changes in sports in Bayelsa State and his determination to provide modern sports facilities.