Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo has said that the people of Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa deserves to produce the next governor of Bayelsa.

Mr Okpebholo spoke as a guest during the 67th anniversary of Ayakoro Annual Festival: (Eyal Obeyin) 2025 at Ayakoro community on Sunday.

The Edo governor served as the chairman of the occasion.

He said the massive development and operation light up Niger Delta is as a result of pragmatic efforts of the managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, an illustrious son of Ayakoro community.

“When I saw the underdevelopment in my community, I asked God to raise us a man that will bring development to us and today I am the governor.

“For the great things Dr Ogbuku is doing in this community and the entire Niger Delta, Ayakoro community deserves to produce the next governor of Bayelsa state.

“I have learned something new today in this community and I will also take it home,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Mr Ogbuku, who is the co-chief host and the deputy paramount ruler of Ayakoro community said, the celebration of the festival was to celebrate their forefathers who, due to coastal erosion, relocated to the present place.

He commended the ancestors for their foresight in relocating to the present site to save future generations from ravaging coastal erosion.

“I believe they saw something at that time that made them cross to the present location and since then prosperity has continued to be upon Ayakoro community,” Mr Ogbuku said.

Mr Ogbuku attributed the achievements NDDC is making to collaboration from the stakeholders.

“One thing is sure that we will always do more if our communities across Niger Delta can partner with us by ensuring that they will protect the facilities we are building in the communities.

“These facilities are going to be enjoyed by the communities and the people of the communities should take ownership of the facilities. Sometimes we feel bad how some facilities built in a community are being vandalised.

“So, I will appeal that whatever facilities that has been brought to you, guide it jealousy.

“We don’t like a situation where the communities make things difficult for the contractors and if the contractors decide to leave, it’s your community that will suffer.

“For communities that have challenges with the contractors, please come to us. Do not frustrate the contractors, we can handle it because NDDC wants to spread development across the entire Niger Delta,” Mr Ogbuku said.

He said the NDDC board had received several commendations from the people and even from Mr. President.

“We are not carried away by those accolades, rather, they spur us to do more. It’s a challenge to do more for the people of Niger Delta” Ogbuku said.

In his keynote address, the senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Benson Agadaga commended the NDDC for sterling performance.

He said, with the development going on and the operation light up Niger Delta by NDDC: “We in the Senate, we are pleased with your achievements and commitment towards the development of the Niger Delta”.

He extolled the virtues of Ayakoro forefathers who had in their time solved what would have been generational problems.

“I want to thank Ayakoro people for keeping the festival alive since its inception and I want to encourage them to continue with it”, the senator said.

Earlier in his welcome address, paramount ruler of Ayakoro community, His Royal Highness, Righteous Inegbagha, said Ayakoro Annual Festival called Eyal Obeyin, was born out of the need to honour as well as immortalizing the founding fathers of blessed memories.

According to him, the founding fathers were the leaders of the time, who by their visionary leadership, embarked and accomplished such a great feat.

He noted that the feat was the historic settlement of the entire people of Ayakoro community on Feb 12,1958, from the old settlement to the present day Ayakoro.

The traditional ruler used the medium to thank Edo state governor, who chaired the occasion and the MD/CEO of NDDC, Mr Ogbuku and other dignitaries that attended the ceremony.

The festival featured traditional dance displays, boat regatta, traditional wrestling competitions amongst other entertainment activities between Friday and Sunday.

(NAN)