By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
PROMINENT figures from Bayelsa State, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Douye Diri, and former Governor Seriake Dickson, paid heartfelt tributes on Wednesday to the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, honouring a life dedicated to public service, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to duty.
Thousands of residents, political leaders, and sympathisers gathered at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa for the “Day of Tributes,” a key event in the funeral activities for the late deputy governor. Senator Ewhrudjakpo passed away on 11 December last year after collapsing while carrying out official duties at the Government House.
In his tribute, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late deputy governor as an extraordinary and selfless politician who devoted his life to Bayelsa’s growth. He said he was shocked and deeply saddened by the news, praying that God would grant comfort and strength to the family, community, and the entire state.
Governor Douye Diri, visibly moved and shedding tears, stated that while many rightly hailed the late deputy governor as a consummate public servant, his own loss was far more personal. “For me, I have lost a brother, a friend, an ally, and a compatriot,” the Governor said.
Quoting from 2 Samuel 1:26, Governor Diri recited David’s elegy for Jonathan: “I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful.” He noted that these words perfectly captured his relationship with Ewhrudjakpo.
Describing Ewhrudjakpo as “a man of proverbs,” Governor Diri announced that a team had been set up to compile and publish a compendium of his famous sayings to preserve his wisdom for future generations. “You will remain in my memory as the true definition of supportive, workaholic, resourceful, and dependable,” Diri said. “Your labour was tireless, your integrity uncompromising. His work ethic, commitment to public service, and unshakeable loyalty to government, friends, and family will continue to inspire us. Words fail me; they cannot adequately capture the depth of the loss I feel today.”
Also paying tribute, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, described his late colleague as a mentee, trusted ally, and family member, with whom he shared a relationship spanning nearly three decades. “He was an embodiment of service to the people and a man who valued and nurtured relationships,” Dickson said. “I introduced him to politics and mentored him. We walked a shared journey of service for almost 30 years. I thank everyone here for honouring him and preserving his memory.”
Tributes also poured in from his family, former classmates, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the Bayelsa caucus in the National Assembly led by Chief Fred Agbedi, the Bayelsa Elders Council, the State Traditional Rulers Council, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led by Ambassador Boladei Igali, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa branch, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), among others.
Dignitaries present included the wife of former President Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan; former deputy governors and their spouses; past and present political appointees and legislators; traditional rulers; religious leaders; community leaders; associates; and a broad cross-section of Bayelsa society.
The late Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo will be laid to rest on Friday, 30 January, in his hometown of Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area.
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