If Other States Can Do What You Are Doing, Nigeria Would Be A Good Country – Obasanjo To Diri

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has commended the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri over the sterling performance of his administration.

He said that the state is making progress in all sectors of the economy, adding that Diri has consolidated the efforts of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

Obasanjo stated this yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa.

The erstwhile president argued that if other states could replicate what is happening in Bayelsa then Nigeria would be a better country.

According to him, “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa that you have to cherish is peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.

“You have security. Peace without security is no peace. Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.

“If what is happening here is replicated in other states in Nigeria, then we will say we have a good country.”

Governor Diri, on his part, thanked Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the state.

He attributed his achievements to the support and cooperation of ‘Bayelsans’ and divine grace.

The governor said, “Bayelsans want peace and development. The former governor laid the foundation upon which we are building and everybody who comes to the state acknowledges the peace and security. So, we cannot go back to the era of violence, impunity and brigandage. The essence of government is to bring peace, development and progress.

“Today, we have added value to the development of Bayelsa. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes and we thank God for His grace to do these things.”

He appreciated leaders of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not travelled out of the country.