Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended the partnership between the state government and the Nigeria Air force, which he said has contributed to the prevailing peace in the state.
Diri, while speaking in his office in Government House, Yenagoa when he played host to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, said the cordial relationship between the Air force and the state, which predated his administration, had been very beneficial to both parties.
In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor appreciated the Air force personnel in the state for their high level of professionalism, especially in civil-military relationship and efforts toward ensuring that the state was safe.
Diri noted that the Air Chief’s visit would strengthen the relationship with the state and expressed the government’s willingness to continue to work with the Airforce and other security formations.
The state helmsman expressed concern over the security situation in parts of the country and called for concerted efforts on the part of leaders to ensure justice, peace and unity.
He congratulated the Air Chief on his appointment, saying it was on merit and would help tackle the security challenges in the country.
His words: “We handed this state over to God and He is going ahead of us to bring peace. He is helping the state, the country and all the security formations to ensure peace. I thank God for the state of security in the state because God is involved. I thank your officers for their efforts in keeping the state safe.
“Let me also thank you for endorsing the Airforce secondary school in Bayelsa. We are looking forward to it. It is only those that are ignorant and do not know that while we are asleep, some of you are awake to ensure we sleep well.
“I like to also appreciate you for the synergy between the Airforce and the government of Bayelsa even before I assumed office. That had been on because the Airforce had been part and parcel of governance in the state.”
In his remarks, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, said it was an operational visit to see how the force was faring in the state.
He described Bayelsa as one of the most peaceful states in the country and commended the state government’s efforts at ensuring peace and stability.
AVM Amao assured that the Airforce would continue to work with the government to ensure that the state remained safe.
In a related development, Senator Diri also received the new Commander of the 16 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brig-Gen. Azubuike Awolo, who was posted to the state in April this year.
While appreciating Gen. Awolo’s commitment to duty, he urged the Nigerian Army to collaborate with other security agencies in enhancing harmonious civil-military relationship in the state and to promote peace, stability and development.
In his remarks, the Brigade Commander said his visit was to identify with the state government and offer the command’s assurance that they would partner with other sister security agencies to ensure that Bayelsa remained peaceful.