The friendship between the senator, representing Southern Kaduna, Kaduna state, Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung, and Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state has continued to foster a renewed sense of energy and purpose, driving them to continue with their mission of creating positive impact in the democratic ecosystem of Southern Kaduna and Bayelsa state.
Their inspiring initiatives, partnerships and opportunities continue to shape their efforts towards fostering unity of purpose to advance Nigeria’s democracy.
It is against this backdrop that in February 2023 Governor Diri canvased support for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Southern Kaduna.
The governor travelled all the way from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, to Zonkwa, Zangon-Kataf local government area of Kaduna state to canvas support for Senator Katung at the campaign launch and presentation of flags to the zone’s PDP candidates.
The Bayelsa governor stated on the occasion that a vote for the PDP candidates in the zone and across Nigeria was a vote for progress and prosperity. He said Southern Kaduna and the entire country were in need of selfless leaders who have the interest of the masses at heart. He noted that PDP was the only viable and alternative to put Nigeria back on the path of development. Similarly, Governor Diri graced the grand finale of the maiden Southern Kaduna festival held in December 2023.
The festival, tagged KDFEST, was also graced by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, the Chief of Defence Staff General Chris Musa, among other dignitaries. As part of efforts to maintain strong and cordial relationship between the people of Kaduna South Senatorial District and the South-south zone, Senator Katung recently led a delegation from the Senatorial District to Yenagoa to witness the inauguration of Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, for a second term in office.
On Monday, February 12, 2024, Katung was at Sampou community in Bayelsa state, the country home of his brother and friend, Governor Diri, to join members of the community in celebrating the beautiful memories of Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, the late father of Governor Diri. Pa Diri, a retired headmaster and devout Christian, died on Sunday, February 12, 2024 at the age of 88. He lived a fulfilled life and impacted not only the Sampou community, but Bayelsa state and Nigeria in general.
On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Senator Katung served as keynote speaker at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership lecture/book presentation in Yenagoa.
The lecture, which was organised by a group, ‘Yes Diri Organisation’, was part of activities to wind down the first term and inauguration ceremony of the governor of Bayelsa state for the second term in office.
Delivering his address, Senator Katung sought partnership between Bayelsa and Kaduna state in order to boost investment in Kaduna state. Katung told the gathering that Bayelsa state and the whole Ijaw nation require good leadership, the type Diri has been providing since he came into office. He commended Governor Diri for the good work he has been doing in the state. The senator also advocated the establishment of a Tertiary Research Trust Fund to give grants to researchers with interest in environmental degradation and climate change. Katung lamented that climate change was posing serious challenges globally. As such, the people should be deliberate in their activities to reduce its effects on society.
The lawmaker explained that the grant should be open to scholars across the globe as long as the Niger Delta forms part of their areas of coverage for the research, because they are badly affected as a result of the activities of oil companies. While commending the Ijaw nation for actively participating in COP28 in Dubai, Senator Katung advised governors in the Niger Delta to jointly organise conferences to highlight issues affecting the zone and its people.
He lauded Diri for providing astute leadership for Bayelsans and expressed confidence in his capabilities to march the Ijaw people towards global representation.
The senator, while highlighting that the theme of the programme “Projecting the Ijaw Nation for Global Representation”, said there is nothing wrong if the Bayelsa government establishes a flour mill, soya oil refinery or ginger exporting company, while it collaborates with the Kaduna state government to invest in the cultivation of raw materials which the weather and climate of the Niger Delta do not support.
Senator Marshall Katung said unless state and privately owned media organisations, especially in Bayelsa state, begin to tell their stories, the world may not pay the desired attention the area deserves. He described Governor Diri as a humble and visionary leader who is forging strategic partnerships across the Niger Delta. He said Diri’s humility and collaborative approach to governance is a rare virtue that has continued to attract more wins for his administration and the Ijaw nation.
On February 14, 2024, Katung witnessed the inauguration of Governor Diri for a second term. Present at the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima; his Liberian counterpart, Jeremiah Kounang; former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
Also present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara; ex-National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu; former Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Seriake Dickson and the former Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce.
Others included Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umaru Bago (Niger), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna), Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) and the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu.
Later, Senator Katung attended the inauguration dinner of Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, at the Government House.
As early as 9am on Thursday, February 15, 2024, Katung returned to Abuja to attend a plenary session of the Senate where issues of national concerns were deliberated.
On Friday and Saturday, 16-17 February, 2024, Katung had several meetings with members of his constituency aimed at galvanising and attracting dividends of democracy.
As always, Katung is bringing dynamism and putting his people first in the affairs of Kaduna South Senatorial District. The senator has not only redefined the district’s outlook but has also driven all key performance indicators towards regaining the lost glory of Southern Kaduna. Katung’s leadership style is not merely about steering the ship; it is also about charting the course towards a future that is equitable, prosperous, and reflective of the aspirations of his people.
Katung is presently riding on the wave of the greatest public acceptance in the history of Southern Kaduna, Kaduna state and Nigeria in general. This is borne out of gratitude to the senator for his people centric policies which have impacted many positively. Within his short time as a senator, Katung has become a household name in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna state and Nigeria in general. He has rekindled hope and built trust, mutual respect and understanding among his people.
Abubakar Labaran writes from
Kafanchan, Kaduna state
