- Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri (middle) acknowleding greetings from the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (2nd right), during the burial ceremony of the late Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State
By Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, January
SAGBAMA, Bayelsa – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has extended a heartfelt “thank you” to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for their pivotal role in the final transition of the state’s late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Speaking at the funeral service held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sagbama, Governor Diri praised NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for standing by the state government.
He noted that the Commission’s logistics and moral support were instrumental in ensuring the late leader was laid to rest with “dignity and honour.”
The NDDC’s involvement wasn’t a last-minute gesture. Dr. Ogbuku had previously led a high-powered delegation to Government House in December 2025, shortly after the Deputy Governor’s passing, to pledge the Commission’s full support during the mourning period.
During the ceremony, Dr. Ogbuku was joined by Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa State Representative on the NDDC Board) and several Commission directors to pay their final respects to a man Ogbuku described as a “titan of infrastructure.”
The funeral Mass, presided over by Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, served as a tribute to Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s multifaceted career. The Bishop’s homily touched on the late Senator’s reputation for: Kindness: His dedication to humanitarian causes.
Infrastructure: His transformative tenure as Commissioner for Works.
Legislative Excellence: His “distinguished service” representing Bayelsa West in the 9th Senate.
”He was a man of love and service,” Bishop Egbebo told the congregation of mourning dignitaries. “I urge our current leaders to emulate his traits in both their public duties and private lives.”