By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday at the age of 60, lamenting how he will mark the sixth anniversary of his government without him.
Governor Diri led a delegation of state legislators and top government officials to visit Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo and the late deputy’s family at their residence in Government House, Yenagoa, describing Ewhrudjakpo as a friend and ally whose relationship with him transcended the typical principal-subordinate dynamic.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Saturday, quoted Diri as expressing shock over the sudden loss, noting their long and cordial working relationship that began during the administration of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, and continued into his own government.
“We came a long way from the leadership of the government of my predecessor. We worked together for eight years, and now in our own government, we have been together for almost six years,” Diri said.
He described his deputy as loyal, dependable, workaholic, and resourceful, stressing that their relationship was built on friendship and brotherhood rather than hierarchy.
“Ewhrudjakpo was a man of many parts. He wore the cap of a lawyer and a public health official, taking charge of the committee on primary healthcare. Coincidentally, today, the state government received a primary healthcare award in Abuja.
God called him when the ovation was loudest. We believed we were going to serve together for eight years, and we were almost there. Now, how do I celebrate our sixth anniversary in office without Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo?” the governor lamented.
Diri hailed his deputy as upright and committed to justice, saying his death is a major loss to the state, while urging the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community to take solace in his achievements and submit to God’s will.
The governor assured that the state government would continue to support the family, including taking over sponsorship of the children’s education and retaining Ewhrudjakpo’s staff within government service.
He also promised that the Ofoni community’s illustrious son, who died while in active service, would be given a befitting state burial.
Responding on behalf of the family, former state assembly member and ex-Commissioner for Education, Dr. Oyovwhi Osusu, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support and for identifying with both the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community.
Dr. Osusu added that while the family and community were deeply shocked by the loss, they accepted it as God’s will and appreciated the state government’s continued assistance.
Governor Diri was accompanied on the condolence visit by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Deputy Speaker Michael Ogbere, House Leader Monday Obolo-Bubou, other state legislators, immediate past deputy governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Chief of Staff Dr. Peter Akpe, Deputy Chief of Staff Irorodamie Komonibo, President of the Ijaw National Congress Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and chairman of the state PDP, Solomon Agwana, among others.