Peace, Unity Key to Development, Gov Diri Tells Bayelsa Communities at Okolode Festival

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has called on communities in the state to embrace peace and unity, particularly those entangled in chieftaincy disputes.

The governor made the appeal on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the grand finale of the Ekpetiama Okolede New Yam Festival held in Gbarantoru, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Governor Diri was represented by his deputy, Pastor Peter Pereotubo Akpe. He specifically urged communities such as Agudama-Ekpetiama, Tombia, and Akaibiri to resolve their differences for the common good of the people.

“I want to also use this opportunity to encourage you to remain united and live as brothers and sisters,” the deputy governor quoted the governor as saying. “Let all the communities in this kingdom where we have chieftaincy crisis like Agudama, Tombia and Akaibiri sink their differences for the sake of peace and progress.”

The governor also raised concerns about the declining use of the Ijaw language and traditional farming, which he described as vital components of the Izon cultural heritage.

“Most of us cannot even speak our Ijaw language very well. Some of us see this as a great challenge. That is why, as members of the state House of Assembly some years back, we made an effort to enact a law to ensure that the Ijaw language is taught in all our public primary schools,” he said.

He emphasised that government efforts would be wasted if the language is not spoken at home. “If a language is not spoken, you will forget it. So let us all make a deliberate effort to keep our language alive because language is powerful.”

Governor Diri commended the Ekpetiama people for sustaining the age-long yam festival and encouraged them to promote farming and agricultural activities to support the state’s food security agenda.

The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, who was Chairman of the occasion, described the Okolede Festival as a celebration of identity. He urged the people to sustain their cultural heritage to ensure stability and sustainable development.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, noted that the festival provides a platform for the people to collectively appreciate God for bountiful harvests.

King Dakolo thanked Governor Diri for infrastructural projects and appointments of Ekpetiama sons and daughters to positions of trust in the administration. He appealed for the construction of a befitting auditorium for the Gbarantoru community.

The high point of the event was the ceremonial breaking and eating of new yams by the Ekpetiama monarch after its presentation by women of the kingdom, led by his wife, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Timinipre Dakolo.