The Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, commiserated with the family of Tari Porri, the lawmaker representing Ekeremor Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly over the death of his father Chief Stephen Porri.
Tari Porri one of the foremost Ijaw Youth leaders was also the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council Central Zone.
Diri extolled the value of the late Octogenarian who according to him raised decent children including the lawmaker who is the House Committee Chairman on Information.
He urged the family to take solace in the fact that the Patriarch lived a good life even up to the age of 89.
While acknowledging that it was a solemn moment for the family, the governor said it also called for sober reflection on who their father was and the contributions he made for them to toe the path of development of their community, Aleibiri, and Bayelsa at large.
He said: “On behalf of your government and the good people of Bayelsa State, we are here on this condolence visit to you, your family, the entire Aleibiri community and the Ekeremor Local Government Area.
“We have lost a father and one whose advice and experience would have availed us for better governance in this state.
“Having produced children like you and your siblings, we know that he has contributed his quota to the development of this state.
“For the family, we should rejoice that the man lived with us till 89 years. Unlike many others, God granted him long life. We pray and wish that his soul will rest in perfect peace.
“While we mourn, this calls for celebration and for reflection of who our father was, the contribution he made, which we should see as a path to toe for the development of Aleibiri community, Ekeremor and Bayelsa at large.”
Senator Diri equally extolled the qualities Hon. Porri, whom he said plays an integral part in the legislative arm of government that is very essential to the synergy of governance.
Responding on behalf of his family, Mr. Porri thanked Governor Diri for demonstrating uncommon love for his maternal family home by honouring his late father with the full presence of the state government.
Describing his father as one who played early politics in old Rivers State, he said he will be greatly missed for his selflessness towards his children and in ensuring that the 23 of them were educated up to university level.
He promised to continue his dad’s legacies.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon Agwanana and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson.
Others were members of the House of Assembly, the state executive council and the state working committee of the PDP as well as other top government functionaries.
