The Central Organizing Committee of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, otherwise known as the Prosperity Cup — Nigeria’s premier grassroots football competition — has felicitated with His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, on the occasion of his 67th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, described Governor Diri as a humble, compassionate, and an exceptionally resourceful leader whose uncommon sense of duty continues to advance the development of Bayelsa State.
Mr. Akpe commended the Governor’s landmark achievements in infrastructural development, particularly the construction of the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene and the 5,000-capacity stadium at Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
He further lauded the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Spanish football giants FC Barcelona and the Bayelsa State Government for the upgrade and expansion of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy, an FC Barcelona-affiliated academy. According to him, the MoU underscores the Governor’s deep commitment to grassroots football and sports development in general.
The statement highlighted the peace and stability the state currently enjoys, as well as the Governor’s patriotic and unrelenting service, noting that Bayelsa has been repositioned over the last six years of his administration.
Mr. Akpe also acknowledged the Governor’s investment in sports, which has translated into sustained success for Bayelsa athletes. These include the state’s dominance at the National Sports Festival, Niger Delta Sports Festival, National Para Games, and Nestle Milo All Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, as well as Bayelsa Queens’ dominance of the Nigeria Women’s Football League and the double triumph of the state’s male and female teams in the 2021 AITEO Cup in Benin City.
“Since your emergence as Governor, you have remained irrevocably committed to your ASSURED Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure, sports, agriculture, education, healthcare, political tolerance, and justice for all, irrespective of tribe, creed, party affiliation, or religion,” the message stated.
“We are also delighted at the rapid progress recorded by the Bayelsa Starlets Academy barely weeks after the MoU was signed. The Academy’s confirmation by the Nationwide League One, NLO to participate in the U-19 Youth League is a clear evidence that more opportunities are opening for our youths,” Mr. Akpe added.
On behalf of the Central Organizing Committee, he prayed that God should grant the Governor many more years in good health to continue rendering selfless service to the people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
