Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Commissioner for Health to ensure that all members of the State Executive Council undergo compulsory medical examinations, following the recent death of the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during the first State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri said the decision was informed by the demanding nature of public office and the need to prevent avoidable deaths through regular health monitoring.
He stated that while death was inevitable, public officials had a responsibility to take preventive steps to safeguard their health in order to remain fit for service.
“As public officers with hectic schedules, we must be careful about our health.
“Members of the State Executive Council are directed to undergo compulsory medical check-ups. This is not optional,” the governor said.
Governor Diri disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted on the late deputy governor and said the findings would be made public at an appropriate time.
He also warned against politicising the death, describing such actions as inappropriate.
Furthermore, he disclosed that a burial committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, has been constituted, with the funeral date to be announced shortly.
“We appreciate everyone who stood with us in this period of mourning,” the governor said, adding that the administration hoped for a year of celebration rather than loss.
At the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe, presented an award plaque and a dummy cheque of $400,000 to the governor after Bayelsa emerged first runner-up in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge for the South-South region.
The competition is supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Dangote Group, and other international partners.
Governor Diri described the recognition as encouraging, saying it reflected the impact of the state’s investment in the health sector.
He attributed the achievement to strong leadership within the ministry.
"This is the best award we have won so far, and it came with a dollar reward. It is down to the exceptional performance of the Commissioner for health. When you work hard, there will be results like this," he said.
Earlier, Prof Brisibe said Bayelsa’s performance in the challenge was driven by the governor’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery.
He also presented Governor Diri with a Distinguished Leadership Award in Governance for his contributions to the development of nursing and midwifery in Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
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