Kashim Shettima hails Governor Douye Diri’s dedication to good governance at UNILAG event celebrating his leadership and public service.
Kashim Shettima has urged public office holders across Nigeria to serve their fatherland with passion and dedication, describing Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri as a model of leadership rooted in integrity and good governance.
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Speaking at the public presentation of the book Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Vice President—represented by Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat—commended Diri’s commitment to his people and his measured approach to leadership.
“The legacy we build today becomes the history told tomorrow,” Shettima said. “This celebration is a testament to unwavering service and dedication to good governance—values that Governor Diri embodies.”
The event, organised by UNILAG Consult Limited, featured a public lecture and the institution of a Professorial Chair on Leadership and Good Governance in honour of the Bayelsa governor.
The book, authored by Prof. Hope Eghagha and veteran journalist Sola Ojewusi, chronicles Diri’s political journey, crisis management, and developmental milestones in Bayelsa State.
Delivering the keynote address, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang reflected on the moral weight of public office, saying: “Leaders are not extraordinary people; they are ordinary people who share the dreams of the people and are willing to risk their comfort for justice, fairness, and equity.”
He praised Diri for his “vehement zeal” in advancing the Niger Delta’s cause, describing him as “a governor with a genuine heart for development.”
In his remarks, Governor Diri expressed gratitude to the authors and UNILAG for the honour, describing the event as a reminder of his duty to the people of Bayelsa. “The development of Bayelsa has always been and will always remain my top priority,” he said. “Every stride we make, every project we commission, is for the prosperity of our people.”
Diri also addressed his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic decision aimed at unlocking new opportunities for the oil-rich state.
“My decision to join the APC was made with the best interests of Bayelsans at heart,” he explained. “It’s about improving infrastructure, boosting agriculture, and creating jobs for our youth.”
A former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Chief Timi Alaibe, lauded the event for its forward-looking approach to leadership documentation. “Institutionalising real-time leadership documentation is essential. When it’s not written, it didn’t happen,” he said.
UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the newly endowed professorial chair as a “commendable step” that will promote research, mentorship, and accountable leadership.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, she noted that “education remains the most powerful tool to change the world,” adding that the initiative ensures Diri’s leadership “leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.”
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The celebration, attended by political leaders, academics, and media executives, underscored Diri’s growing influence within Nigeria’s political landscape and Kashim Shettima’s broader call for selfless service in public life.
