*DIGNITARIES ALL OVER THE WORLD STORM YENIBEBILI TO HONOR PROF. AZAIKI.*
By ODIGIO WHITE. BAYELSA EDITOR.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning as we journeyed through the Onopa Bridge, the Tulip Hotels and Government house side road towards Yenibebili town.
Unexpectedly, we were greeted by an array of dancing groups, women, girls, and men, including the various colors and age groups.
The young men in their "Agaba" robes and drums dominated the road as the convoy got slower with
the multitude of crowds who came to welcome Prof. Steve Azaki to his Thanksgiving service at St. Andrew, Anglican church in Yenibebili town in Atissa Clan.
As we gradually crawled into through the maze of dancing young men and older women, I heard a young man of about 9 years whisper something to his mate, so I asked for his name.
Kelvin, he said. What did you just say to your friend? By now, Kevin and his friend were trotting behind us.
"I told him that I have never seen such a BIG man in this community, and no one even comes close to him. he responded.
This is the COLOSSAL IMAGE of the man we were going to celebrate with from a nine year old Kelvin.
The Church was filled to the brim with dignitaries, special guests, community members, and parishioners. More people were outside as the officiating Rev. Adineye Ebimotei described the celebrant as a CHILD of DESTINY filled with God's grace.
When Prof Steve Azaki rose for the Thanksgiving event, the entire building moved with people trying to get close to him; he was flanked by the First Military Governor of Bayelsa state and a former Deputy Governor of the state, while a host of Federal, state legislators, Traditional leaders, business moguls had to squeeze through the raging crowd.
At the end of church service, the clergy blessed, prayed for him, and anointed the reception.
When given an opportunity to say a few words.
The celebrant said that he was celebrating beyond just leaving office - The National Assembly, but all that God has done in his life, with all the challenges he faced from his childhood; God saw him through bringing him from this little village and lifting him to the world.
He promised to build a special altar for the church.
The church event was immediately followed by a grand reception at the Community Primary School Field , Yenebebeli.
As part of this grand reception, the occasion also witnessed the commissioning of the Yenebebeli Community Guest House, built and commissioned by Bayelsa's pioneer Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Steve Azaiki
Some of the dignitaries that Graced the occasion include but are not limited to, the former military administrator of Bayelsa State, Rtd Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade, Former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rtd Navy Captain Gboribiogha John Jonah, Wife to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Mrs Douye Diri, Paramount Ruler of Yenaka Atissa, HRH Sir Ovie Omeleh. Ksp, High Chief Collins Kokodia, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Senator Moses Cleopas, Chief Lambert Otiotio, Honourable Fred Abedi, Vice Chancellor Bayelsa Medical University Professor Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu, Alabo Nengi James of the INC.
The Chairman Rtd Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade, in his opening remark, described Professor Steve Azaiki's as a man who makes things happen when you least expect it.
The Chairman of the occasion also stated that during his time as military administrator of Bayelsa State he gave out Certificate of Ownership (CofO) to alot of land owners in the State while forgetting to give to himself.
He further described Bayelsans as hard-working people with wonderful leadership qualities as he declared the event open.
Other speakers at the event included the VC Bayelsa Medical University, Professor Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu who describe Professor Steve Azaiki as a man with many caps, he also thanked the good people of Yenebebeli for honoring their son, as he mentioned that this will encourage others to emulate him.
As part of the event, Chieftaincy titles and Certificates of Recognisation were awarded to deserving personalities by the Paramount Ruler of Yenibebili Atissa, HRH Alfred Ovuoh, members of the Atissa Coucil of chiefs and his Council.
Visitors were entertained with beautiful dance steps by the cultural troop of Yenebebeli.
Gifts were presented to the celebrant by various women groups, school children led by their head teacher, National Youth Corp Members, and the Professors Community of Friends.
Many of whom used the opportunity to thank him for his goods works, like the building and maintenance of the corper's lodge as well as primary school building within the community.
The donation of books, school bags, and writing materials for pupils.
The scholarships awarded to
students via the Steve Azaiki's foundation to study in and outside the country.
The occasion was brought to a close after the chairman's closing Remark were he pleaded with Bayelsans to vote for a peace loving Governor in the Next Gubernatorial Elections and encouraged incumbent government's to complete projects left behind by previous administrations.
The event moved to Opolo for an early dinner for the distinguished guests.
 AND OTHER DIGNITARIES FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD STORM YENIBEBILI TO HONOR PROF. AZAIKI.*){kind=link}
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