The Bayelsa State Government is set to honour the late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, posthumously as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Governor Douye Diri disclosed this after paying a courtesy visit to the Abacha family at their Asokoro residence in Abuja ahead of the anniversary celebration.
Diri, who was received by Abacha’s widow, Dr. Maryam Abacha, his eldest son, Mohammed, other members of the family and grandchildren, said the honour was in recognition of the late military ruler’s role in the creation of Bayelsa State.
According to the governor, Abacha “harkened to the yearning of the Ijaw ethnic nationality for a homogenous state in the Niger Delta area,” a dream that became a reality on October 1, 1996, when he announced the creation of Bayelsa from the old Rivers State.
“In appreciation of that act of giving us a clear identity and for the progress achieved so far, the Bayelsa State Government will honour Abacha posthumously among other illustrious sons and daughters of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation,” Diri said.
The governor said the visit also provided an opportunity for the Abacha family to share memories of the late military leader’s time in the Niger Delta.
He said Dr. Maryam Abacha “had vivid recollections and shared nostalgic memories of the family’s time in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when Abacha was Brigade Commander of the Bori Camp.”
Diri said the anniversary programme would begin with the inauguration of projects executed by his administration, the Assured Prosperity Administration.
According to him, the celebrations will culminate in a four-day programme of activities beginning on September 28 and ending on October 1 with a state dinner and awards ceremony.
The governor said the activities would provide an opportunity to reflect on Bayelsa’s journey since its creation and celebrate individuals who have contributed to the development and identity of the state and the Ijaw nation.
Bayelsa State was created on October 1, 1996, alongside six other states by the then military administration of Gen. Sani Abacha.