Activities to honour the legacy of the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commenced on Tuesday with a series of sporting events at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
The events featured a novelty football match, athletics, tug-of-war competition by civil servants, 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.
Governor Douye Diri, accompanied by his wife, Justice Patience Diri, and other dignitaries, including members of the National Assembly, performed the ceremonial kick-off.
Speaking to journalists at the venue, the Chairman of the Funeral Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, explained that the decision to begin the funeral activities with sports was to honour the late deputy governor’s passion for sports and his immense contributions to sports development in the state.
Until his sudden demise on December 11, 2025, at the age of 60, Senator Ewhrudjakpo supervised the Ministry of Sports.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East); members of the House of Representatives—Chief Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Dr. Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw), and Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).
Also present were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown (Sagbama Constituency 3); Chief Ayibanengiyefa Egba (Yenagoa Constituency 1); former Speakers Prince Boyelayefa Debekeme and Peremobowei Ebebi, who is also a former deputy governor; Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in the state, Dr. Dennis Otiotio; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo; President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Daniel Iyama; and other top government functionaries.
As part of the four-day funeral programme, a Day of Tribute will hold on Wednesday, January 28, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.
