As part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and his wife, Justice Patience Ama Diri, on Sunday led top government officials, serving and retired military personnel, and other dignitaries to a church service in Yenagoa in appreciation to God and in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Speaking during the service, Governor Diri lamented the challenges faced by retired members of the armed forces, particularly regarding delayed pensions and inadequate medical care.
According to him, retired military personnel who dedicated their lives to the defence of the country should not be subjected to hardship after their years of service.
“There is no profession that demands the sacrifice of one’s life the way the military profession does,” the governor said. “While other professions retire and enjoy their benefits, many of our retired men and officers are made to queue under the sun and rain for their entitlements, and some do not live long enough to receive them. Nigeria must change. We cannot continue to dishonour our senior citizens.”
Governor Diri noted that his administration had cleared accumulated backlog of pension arrears for retired state civil servants and that those who retire under the present administration now receive their benefits promptly.
He called for improved welfare packages and medical support for retired and serving military personnel, stressing that honouring them goes beyond ceremonial activities.
Dignitaries at the service included the Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Konbowei Friday Benson; Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Fredrick Agbedi; Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, two former Deputy Governors, Peremobowei Ebebi, and Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
others are President of the Bayelsa State Customary Court of Appeal; members of the State Assembly; Executive Council members; Special Advisers and Technical Advisers; leadership of the Nigerian Legion; serving and retired military officers; as well as the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, among other dignitaries.
