Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, yesterday, urged his appointees to pray for God’s wisdom, diligence and direction to govern the state instead of spending money on congratulatory messages in the media or bogus celebrations.
Diri, who turns 62 on Friday, June 4, 2021, said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah, said he needed prayers to remain focused, as the task ahead was enormous.
He urged his appointees to be patient and remain committed to delivering on their assignments, as the time for celebration would come.
The governor explained that he was not against private individuals or corporate organisations congratulating him in the media, but that state funds needed not to be channelled to such gestures.
“At this time, we need to focus on the task of governance. We also need prayers for God’s wisdom and direction. So, I charge my appointees at all levels to pray for wisdom to govern the state and to deliver on our mandate.
“I am not usually a celebration person and being governor has not changed that. My appointees as government officials need to know this. Private individuals and corporate organisations are not under any obligation to congratulate me if they choose to, but I am against any gesture that would result in the misapplication of government funds,” he said.
MEANWHILE, the Bayelsa State government refuted Bodmas Kemepadei alleged inciting posts on social media against President Muhammadu Buhari, which purportedly led to his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).
A statement issued by Director, New Media, Kola Oredipe, clarified that Kemepadei lacked the authority to speak for Governor Douye Diri.
Kemepadei, a blogger, film editor and online reporter, was appointed into the Bayelsa State Government New Media Team as Special Assistant and works under Oredipe, who is coordinator of all government new media activities.
“He, therefore, neither spoke for the governor, nor the state government in his video that went viral.
“In the video and other posts, Kemepadei must have obviously spoken as a private citizen and not as a government official, because Governor Diri could never have authorised such comments against the President,” the statement reads.
