The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, to ensure that all members of the State Executive Council undergo compulsory medical examinations.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Wednesday during the first State Executive Council meeting of 2026, saying it was necessitated by the recent death of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
According to the governor, the demanding nature of public service makes regular health checks essential in order to ensure that public officials remain medically fit and to prevent avoidable deaths.
He noted that while death is inevitable, individuals can take preventive measures to maintain good health and enjoy longer lives.
The governor also disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted on the late deputy governor, adding that the results would be made public at the appropriate time.
He cautioned against the politicisation of the deputy governor’s death, describing such actions as insensitive, and announced that a burial committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government had been constituted. He said the date for the burial would be announced soon.
Governor Diri expressed appreciation to those who sympathised with the state during the period of mourning and urged members of the executive council to take their health seriously.
“All of us must be careful about our health so we can prevent avoidable death. Members of the State Executive Council must go for compulsory check-ups. This is a directive that must be carried out,” he said.
At the meeting, the Commissioner for Health presented an award plaque and a dummy cheque of $400,000 to the state, following Bayelsa’s emergence as first runner-up in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge for the South-South region.
The health sector leadership challenge is funded by UNICEF, the Dangote Group and other international organisations.
Governor Diri described the achievement as encouraging, noting that the state government’s investment in the health sector was yielding positive results.
“This is the best award we have won so far, and it came with a dollar reward. It is a reflection of hard work and exceptional performance in the health sector,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Brisibe attributed the state’s recognition in the competition to Governor Diri’s commitment to the development of the health sector.
He also presented the governor with a Distinguished Leadership Award in Governance, in recognition of his contributions to the growth of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives in Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
