A special three-day programme tagged: “Solemn Assembly,” which heralds the annual Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day on November 2, commences on Thursday, October 30.
Governor Douye Diri, who stated this on Wednesday at the 175th session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, said the programme holds at 4pm daily at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.
A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as explaining that since 2012, November 2 has been earmarked by legislation for the state to appreciate God for His manifold blessings upon the government and the people at the Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa.
The governor, who spoke about God’s benevolence upon the state in terms of peace and security, providing an enabling environment for government to deliver its social contract, enjoined Bayelsans to turn out en masse at the thanksgiving service

His words: “I like to remind us that we are at the time of the year when as a state we all come out to thank God for the creation of Bayelsa State for life as well as all the good things that God is doing for us.
“As we are happy and rejoicing about our gas turbines, some cannot wait to drive to Oporoma, Otuan, Brass, Peretorugbene, Ndoro and other communities. All of these infrastructure were made possible by the Almighty God.
“I want all of us as Bayelsans to come out in our numbers on Sunday to appreciate and worship God.”
During the council meeting, the state’s helmsman called for a minute silence in honour of the late one-time Commissioner for Special Duties (East), Hon. Nelson Belief, who was also a state House of Assembly and House of Representatives member.
During the session, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, equally presented the Platinum Education Ambassador Award recently bestowed by the Independent Newspapers on the governor to him.
The commissioner and the Chief Press Secretary, Alabrah, represented the governor at the event on October 9 in Lagos.

