Funeral Church Service Of Pa. Abraham Diri, Father Of Governor Of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE FUNERAL CHURCH SERVICE OF PA. ABRAHAM DIRI, FATHER OF THE GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE, DUOYE DIRI IN BAYELSA ON THE 6TH OF MAY, 2023

PROTOCOLS

His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has commandeered me to make this speech on his behalf and on my own behalf. So, I do not take responsibility for anything that I would say. He is the one who would take responsibility for everything! (General Laughter)

So, let me first begin by saying that it’s a very deep honour to be here and I speak, I’m sure for all of us who are here, to celebrate the life and times of Papa Abraham Diri who as we all know was an exemplary teacher, a public servant, a lay reader of the Anglican church and a community leader.

I think that President Jonathan said it all, when he mentioned the array of individuals, ladies and gentlemen, who are here to celebrate the late Pa Diri.

When he was teaching here in Sampou and I believe that he also taught in Ekeremor LGA, and other places in Delta State, he impacted lives and brought up the children of so many, nurturing the promises and aspirations of thousands of young men and women.

He certainly didn’t know that the day would come, I’m sure if he would have been asked how did he think his death would be celebrated, he would have thought it would be a very humble one, at least many years ago. Certainly, could never have imagined that the whole of Nigeria will be gathered here to celebrate him.

But that is a lesson that we learn from scripture. The Bible says that in all labor there is profit, Proverbs 14, verse 23. All the labor, decent, honest labor doing right things as a teacher and as a mentor to many, the reward came not just in his son becoming Governor, but look at the array of individuals today who celebrates this humble teacher and this man who brought up so many.

So, we bless the Lord for his life, we bless the Lord for the testimony of such a great life and we thank God that we have examples of people like him, who did the right things, who served their communities well. A church man in his own case, a lay reader, a community leader who built men and women up.

And we pray that the Almighty God will console the entire family who have lost such a great individual.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria and on behalf of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, and all of us who are present here today, I’d like to express our sincere condolences to my dear brother, His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State and His wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Gloria Diri and all members of the Diri family.

We express our sincere condolences and we pray that the Almighty God will comfort you and strengthen you. We believe that this is a great celebration and we thank the Lord that you’re all witnesses to this celebration.

God bless you all.

Thank you.