Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, was on Saturday honoured with the prestigious Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadan (MOFI) award by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), in recognition of his inclusive governance and support for Ibadan natives residing in Bayelsa.
The honour was conferred during the grand finale of the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) in Ibadan, Oyo State. The cultural celebration is a major event promoting unity and inter-regional friendship in Nigeria.
Prominent dignitaries at the event included Oyo State Governor, Oluseyi Makinde; his deputy, Adebayo Lawal; Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; and former Governor of the state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, who personally presented the award to Governor Diri.
Senator Ladoja praised the Bayelsa governor as a symbol of purposeful leadership, noting that the honour was in recognition of his administration’s inclusive style and the cordial relationship he has maintained with Ibadan indigenes living in his state.
Receiving the award, a visibly elated Governor Diri expressed surprise and gratitude.
“We never saw this coming. I am very elated to stand before the great people of Ibadan and Oyo State,” he said. “This recognition of our modest governance efforts by the people of this ancient city is deeply appreciated. On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa, I say thank you.”
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Diri also lauded Governor Makinde for his people-focused governance in Oyo, adding that the collaboration between CCII and the state government was a model of development-driven partnership.
“Governance is about the people, and when you do well, the people rejoice. I commend my brother-governor for his outstanding performance,” Diri said.
The governor’s entourage included Hon. Fred Agbedi, member of the House of Representatives representing Sagbama/Ekeremor; Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; and other dignitaries from Bayelsa and beyond.
The MOFI award highlights Diri’s growing national profile and the increasing inter-regional goodwill fostered under his leadership.