Jonathan, Wabara, others pay tribute as Diri buries father

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, ex-Senate President and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equitorial Guinea, Steve Akpana and his wife, were among prominent personalities at the service of songs for the late Pa Abraham Diri, father of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The event, which took place on Wednesday at Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital, marked the commencement of weeklong funeral rites for Pa Diri.

Also present at the event were Inspector General of Police, Alkali Ahmed Baba, represented by the new Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Romokere Ibani; President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, represented by Ambassador Boladei Igali; and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Michael Zuokumor, among others.

Pa Diri, a retired headmaster, who passed on February 12, 2023, aged 88, was a devout Christian and a lay reader in the Anglican Church.

In his tribute, Wabara noted that Pa Diri’s first three names, Abraham, Joseph and Michael, reflected his true Christian background.

He said: “Pa Diri believed in education and groomed his children well, which was why he was referred to as a no-nonsense headmaster.”

Chairman, Bayelsa Elders Council and immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), described Pa Diri as a disciplinarian.

He said the late Diri’s sterling qualities reflect in the governance style of his son, who exudes humility and forthrightness.

In a sermon, titled: “The Undisputable Fate of Man,” The Rt. Rev Victor Ebipadei Okporu, praised Pa Diri’s selfless services to his community, particularly in the Anglican Church, where he served as a lay reader.

“Pa Diri was so humble and committed to the things of God and he was not paid but only given honorarium.”

He urged the congregation to prepare for life in eternity, saying man had only a few days on earth, filled with trials and tribulations.