Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo has called on people of the state to emulate the patriotic lifestyle of late Chief Francis Doukpola and other founding fathers to move the state to greater heights.
Ewhrudjakpo made the call when he led a team of government officials to attend a special church service to honour the memory of Doukpola at Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area.
Eulogising the departed Agbere-born politician and businessman, Ewhrudjakpo described him as a great leader and servant of God who contributed immensely towards the creation of Bayelsa.
In a statement on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor acknowledged the unifying role Doukpola played in politics where he sacrificed his personal interest for the peace and development of the state.
According to him, Doukpola’s fatherly role while alive, calmed frayed nerves during hot political contests, a quality, which he noted, is rare to find among politicians.Recalling his experiences with the late elder statesman, particularly during his campaigns to become a senator and subsequently as a deputy governor, he noted that Doukpola was instrumental to his political success.
Ewhrudjakpo, therefore, promised to propagate the legacies of Doukpola to encourage others identify with efforts targeted at building a better united and prosperous Bayelsa State.
He said: “He sacrificed so much for me even at the risk of his political hemorrhage. He did same when I was to be nominated Deputy Governor.
“These are the lessons to draw home today as we honour his memory. We must remember that there came a man from Agbere, Tarakiri clan, in Bayelsa State, who ensured that the contentment of others was his own contentment.
”Doukpola, who died at the age of 76, a year ago, was until his passing, the Chairman of Bayelsa State Elders Council and Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Government officials who accompanied the Deputy Governor to the memorial service were members of the state House of Assembly including Dr Godbless Oyinke, Hon. Benard Kenebai, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and Hon Ofoji Oboku,