The governor of Edo state Sen. Monday Okpebholo at the weekend said the people of Ayakoro community in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa deserves to produce a governor in the state.

Okpebholo spoke as a guest during the 67th anniversary of Ayakoro Annual Festival (Eyal Obeyin) 2025.

He noted that the massive development and Operation light up Niger Delta is as a result of pragmatic efforts of the Managing Director officer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku an illustrious son of Ayakoro community.

?When I saw the underdevelopment in my community, I asked God to raise us a man that will bring development to us and today I am the governor.

?For the great things (Dr). Ogbuku is doing in this community and the entire Niger Delta, Ayakoro community deserves to produce the next governor of Bayelsa State.

?I have learned something new today in this community and I will also take it home,? he said.

In his goodwill message, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who is the Co-Chief Host and the Deputy Paramount ruler of Ayakoro community said, the celebration of the festival was to celebrate their forefathers who due to coastal erosion, relocated to the present place.

He commended the ancestors for their foresight in relocating to the present site to save future generations from ravaging coastal erosion.

?I believe they saw something at that time that made them cross to the present location and since then prosperity has continue to be upon Ayakoro community?, Ogbuku said.

Ogbuku attributed the achievements NDDC is making to collaboration from the stakeholders.

?One thing is sure that we will always do more if our communities across Niger Delta can partner with us by ensuring that they will protect the facilities we are building in the communities.

?This facilities are going to be enjoyed by the communities and the people of the communities should take ownership of the facilities. Sometimes we feel bad how some facilities build in a community is been vandalized.

?So, I will appeal that whatever facilities that has been brought to you, guide it jealously.

?We don?t like a situation where the communities make things difficult for the contractors and if the contractors decide to leave, it?s your community that will suffer.

?Communities that have challenges with the contractors, please come to us. Do not frustrate the contractors, we can handle it because NDDC wants to spread development across the entire Niger Delta,? Ogbuku said.

He said the NDDC board had received several commendations from the people and even from Mr. President.

?We are not carried away by those accolades rather they spur us to do more. It's a challenge to do more for the people of Niger Delta,? Ogbuku said.

In his keynote address, the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Sen. Benson Agadaga commended the NDDC for sterling performance.

He said that with the development going on and the operation light up Niger Delta by NDDC, ?We in the Senate, we are pleased with your achievements and commitment towards the development of the Niger Delta?.

He extolled the virtues of Ayakoro forefathers who had in their time solved what would have been generational problems.

?I want to thank Ayakoro people for keeping the festival alive since its inception and I want to encourage them to continue with it?, the Senator said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief host and Paramount of Ayakoro community, His Royal Highness, Righteous Inegbagha said, Ayakoro Annual Festival called Eyal Obeyin was born out of the need to honour as well as immortalizing the founding fathers of blessed memories.

According to him, the founding fathers were the leaders of the time who by their visionary leadership style embarked and accomplished such a great feat.

He said the accomplishment was of historic settlement of the entire people of Ayakoro community on Feb 12, 1958, from the old settlement to the present day Ayakoro.

?This visionary efforts of the founding fathers was propelled by the significant threat posed by coastal erosion bearing in mind the untold suffering the future generation might face. While the foregoing remains an impeccable truth, in fact, they deserve an extra ordinary celebration.

?Let me remind all sons and daughters of Ayakoro community that we owe a duty to our founding fathers.

?They have laid the foundation upon which we grow. It's now our duty to continue from where they stopped. I urged all of us to see ourselves as a generation of progressively minded people and behave accordingly.

?I task all progressive to get involved in creative thinking, forward-thinking ideas and a focus on achieving a significant change or improvement going beyond the existing status quo. Our destiny like a fragile vessel is in our hands today.

?Undoubtedly, our salvation lies in our preparedness to live in harmony, collaboration and reciprocal veneration and tolerance. Let us remember that united we stand and divided will fall,? he said.

The traditional ruler used the medium to thank Edo state governor, who chaired the occasion and the MD/CEO of NDDC Ogbuku and other dignitaries that attended the ceremony.

The festival featured traditional dance displays, boat regatta, traditional wrestling competitions amongst other entertainment activities between Friday and Sunday.

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