By SHEDRACK FRANK

Bayelsa State will on Wednesday hold a Day of Tribute in honour of the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as part of activities marking his four-day funeral programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day of Tribute holds at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, later on Wednesday.

The tribute follows sporting activities held on Tuesday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, in recognition of Ewhrudjakpo’s contributions to sports development in the state.

The sporting events featured a novelty football match, athletics, a tug-of-war competition among civil servants, as well as traditional wrestling and para-wrestling bouts.

In the novelty football match, Bayelsa Queens played out a goalless draw with a selected Bayelsa State All-Stars team.

Gov. Douye Diri, accompanied by his wife, Justice Patience Diri, and other dignitaries, including members of the National Assembly, performed the ceremonial kick-off.

Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Chairman, Funeral Committee and Secretary to the Bayelsa Government while speaking on the activities, said the sporting events were organised to honour the late deputy governor for his Immense contributions to sports development in Bayelsa.

Ayawei recalled that Ewhrudjakpo supervised the Ministry of Sports until his sudden demise on Dec. 11, 2025, at the age of 60.

Dignitaries who attended the sporting events included Sen. Benson Agadaga, representing Bayelsa East; members of the House of Representatives, Chief Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), and Mitema Obordor (Ogbia).

Others were Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).

The Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown (Sagbama Constituency 3); and Chief Ayibanengiyefa Egba (Yenagoa Constituency 1) were also in attendance. (NAN)

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