Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has implored people of the state to foster peace, joy and brotherliness as they celebrate Christmas.
Governor Diri gave the counsel in his Christmas message during the state-organised carol programme christened “Festival of Nine Lessons” at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, on Saturday.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, quoted the governor as saying that his government would continue to build on the legacies of peace and love that it has been preaching.
Speaking on the outcome of the last governorship election in the state, Diri noted that his overwhelming victory was according to the wishes of the people and again expressed his administration’s appreciation to the electorate in the state.
His words: “My message to us Bayelsans is that, on behalf of the Prosperity Administration, I urge us to promote peace, joy and brotherliness throughout this Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Your government of prosperity will continue to spread the message of love, peace, unity, and hope and build a brighter future for our dear state that all of us have desired even before its creation.
“I pray and extend my warm wishes for a merry Christmas and a better 2024. At all times, we must proclaim the superiority of Jesus Christ. There is no power on earth that can unseat the real governor of Bayelsa, who is Jesus Christ. We surrendered the state to Him and proclaimed that the way we came in, it was because He wanted us to be here. He again showed His superiority on November 11.”
In a sermon, Archbishop Winning Willy Bunting said Christmas represents love, giving and receiving of gifts as well as the return to invaluable values.
Archbishop Bunting admonished people not to get depressed or over-burden themselves during this season because of yet to be achieved goals at the end of the year.
High points of the carol were the reading of nine Bible lessons by members of the executive, legislature and judicial arms of government as well as the civil service and the clergy.
There were also special renditions by the Bayelsa State mass choir, members of the state executive council, the judiciary, the Garden City Choir, the Heavenly Voices, gospel act Preye Odede and other guest artistes.
The event was attended by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Monday Obolo Bubou, former Governor of Rivers State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, Bayelsa-born dancehall artiste, Inetimi Odon, popularly known as Timaya, and other top government functionaries.
