The 5th Freedom Online Lecture kicked off on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, with a keynote address delivered by H.E. Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State.
Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabra, the event, held on the theme of “2023 – 2027: Nigerians, Elected Leaders, and Expectations.” took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, and was attended by a diverse audience including a representative of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the Special Guest Speaker. Also present were former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, as the Special Guest of Honour. former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd); former Managing Director of Daily Times, Chief Tola Adeniyi and a host of others.
Governor Diri emphasised the vital role of the media in shaping public opinion and promoting accountability, and discussed the upcoming off-season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the Niger Delta region and called for collective efforts to ensure sustainable development, transparency, and the empowerment of the younger generation.
The keynote address provided valuable insights into Diri’s vision and achievements as governor of Bayelsa State, and underscored the importance of establishing a clear and inspiring vision for the future.
In his opening remarks, Senator Diri expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to address such a distinguished gathering and conveyed warm regards from the people of Bayelsa State. He commended the organisers of the annual lecture, acknowledging the growth and success of both the event and the Freedom Online newspaper, which has become one of Nigeria’s leading virtual news outlets.
Highlighting the vital role of the media in society, Diri emphasised its power to shape public opinion, promote accountability, and inspire positive change. He stressed that a society’s progress is intrinsically linked to the involvement of the press and its ability to serve as the conscience of the nation, especially in a democratic dispensation.
While discussing the upcoming November off-season elections, he emphasised the importance of platforms like the Freedom Online Lectures in facilitating conversations that enable candidates to present their policies and track records to voters, encouraging them to make informed choices and reject electoral malpractice and violence.
“I think it is important that the media continues to instigate more of these conversations so that elected leaders will be accountable to voters. That is why I am pleased to be here today,” he said.
Focusing on the theme of the lecture, Governor Diri said he found the topic of “2023 – 2027: Nigerians, Elected Leaders, and Expectations” intriguing.
He recognised its potential to assess the intentions and capabilities of politicians in the coming four years.
“Notwithstanding that it is framed, as it is, in Spartan news headline format, it yet offers a suitable prism to interrogate the intentions and capacity of politicians in the Nigeria democracy project in the next critical four years,” he said.
The senator then shared personal insights to provide context for his perspective and motivations. He reflected on his challenging journey to the governorship of Bayelsa State, which he referred to as a “miracle” given the electoral irregularities and violence experienced during the 2019 governorship election.
“I am Senator Douye Diri. Many of you will know me by the sobriquet ‘Miracle Governor.’ It is a title I wear with pride. This is partly because after what was a massive intimidation of voters across the various local government areas in my state as well as the brutal killing of innocent people, some of whom were members of my party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nembe Local Government Area and the fabrication of figures to declare another person winner of the 2019 governorship election, against all odds I was returned elected and declared governor of Bayelsa State.
“This was just a few hours to the swearing in of a new governor on February 14, 2020.
“So, I believe in miracles. I am persuaded that God performed this particular miracle to demonstrate two things. First, all power belongs to Him. And second, that my deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and I were elevated into office not for self-aggrandisement but to be positioned to take the necessary critical steps and make the hard decisions required for the vision of prosperity to be achievable and sustainable,” he stated.
Expressing his commitment to serving with integrity, humility and inspired leadership that transcends religious, ethnic, and party affiliations, he acknowledged the tendency among politicians to prioritise personal interests and create divisions along parochial lines and called for empowering the younger generation and involving them meaningfully in the political process, urging politicians to recognise their potential and not exploit them for electoral violence or thuggery.
“Let us empower the voices of our younger generation. They should not be pawns to be used in political games. Rather, they are the very lifeblood of our future. They merit appreciation, respect, and an active role in shaping the trajectory of our democracy. Also, they are not there to be used as drug-induced thugs for mayhem, electoral violence, and thuggery,” he said.
Shifting the focus to the broader Nigerian context, Senator Diri highlighted the country’s unfulfilled potential and the need for a clear and well-defined vision to drive progress. Quoting Proverbs 29:18, which says, “My people perish for lack of vision,” he emphasised the importance of vision in preventing stagnation and enabling individuals and societies to reach their fullest potential.
“By the wisdom found in the Bible, I recognise the importance of having a clear and well-defined vision for any society to thrive and flourish. Without a vision, people can lose focus, become stagnant, and fail to reach their fullest potential,” the governor said.
While limiting his presentation to Bayelsa State, “The Glory of All Lands.” Diri drew attention to the challenges faced by the Niger Delta region.
He discussed the environmental and economic injustices suffered by the region, calling for greater protection of the environment and preservation of the lives and livelihoods of the people.
Referring to the recently launched report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, Senator Diri highlighted the need to address environmental terrorism caused by oil exploration and made recommendations for sustainable development. He expressed hope that, in the next four years, the Nigerian government would prioritise environmental protection alongside economic opportunities.
The keynote address provided an opportunity for Senator Diri to outline his achievements and plans for Bayelsa State during his tenure as governor.
“In furtherance of the vision for Bayelsa State, my administration is christened as the “Government of Prosperity.” Under my watch, our administration has made modest but remarkable impact in fulfilling this vision,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of infrastructure development, economic diversification, quality education, healthcare, youth empowerment, peace and security, accountability and transparency, stakeholder engagement, and environmental stewardship.
The senator highlighted notable infrastructure projects, including road construction, bridge construction, urban renewal initiatives, and the establishment of transport terminals and power plants. He also emphasised efforts to diversify the state’s economy through agriculture, tourism, and technology, as well as the promotion of quality education, improved healthcare services, and youth empowerment programs.
Senator Diri underscored the significance of peace and security for development, showcasing the reduction in crime rates achieved through robust security measures. He highlighted the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency, regularly holding transparency briefings to disclose revenue receipts and expenditures. The senator also stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement and environmental protection as foundations for sustainable development.
In conclusion, Senator Douye Diri reiterated the importance of establishing a clear and inspiring vision for Bayelsa State. He emphasised the need for a solid foundation that incorporates accountability, transparency, stakeholder engagement, environmental stewardship, social equity, and continuous improvement. By setting the right foundation, he believes a sustainable future could be built for both current and future generations.
Governor Diri provided valuable insights into his vision and achievements as governor of Bayelsa State. It highlighted the challenges faced by the Niger Delta region and called for collective efforts to ensure sustainable development, transparency, and the empowerment of the younger generation.
It is my candid consideration that our lack of sustained progress as a country is due to the absence of a corporate vision for Nigeria. Vision plays a crucial role in driving progress and achieving success in various aspects of life, whether it be personal, professional, or societal.