Profile
Douye Diri is a Nigerian politician, businessman and Governor of Bayelsa State. He was born into the family of A.J.M Diri of Kalama-Owinari compound of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Douye Diri. Prior to becoming the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri had already served as the senator representing the Bayelsa Central senatorial district of Bayelsa State at the Nigerian 9th National Assembly.
He was sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa State on the 14th of February 2020 following the nullification of the 2019 Bayelsa State gubernatorial elections on grounds that the running mate of the actual winner of the election, David Lyon, submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Personal Life
Douye Diri is a devoted Christian and he is married to two women. Mrs Gloria Ebibomo Diri, the first lady of the state and his second wife, Barr. Mrs. Patience Ama Zuofa Douye-Diri. Douye Diri started his career as a teacher and taught in several Government Schools in Old Rivers State.
Education
| Qualification | Schools Attended | Date |
| Primary Education | Rev. Proctor Memorial Primary School, Kaiama | 1977 |
| Secondary Education | Government Secondary School, Odi Bayelsa | |
| National Certificate in Education | College of Education, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State | 1985 |
| Bachelors of Education (B.Ed) Degree in Political Science | University of Port-Harcourt | 1990 |
Work History
| Position | Workplace | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher | Government School in Old Rivers State | |
| National Organizing First Secretary | The Ijaw National Congress (INC) | |
| Executive Secretary | Centre for Youth Development in Bayelsa State | 2000-2002 |
Political History
- Commissioner for Youth and Sports (2005-2006)
- Council Board member university of Maiduguri (2008-2012)
- Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Council, Bayelsa State (2012).
- Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, 2012
- Principal Executive Secretary (2013-2014).
- Federal House of Representatives to represent Kolokuma, Opokuma, and Yenagoa Federal Constituency, 2015
- Senator Douye Diri Winner Bayelsa State Primary Election
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- Olympic Sports Friendly Personality Award
- Most Youth-Friendly Governor Award in the Niger Delta
- Bayelsa Media Network Award
Project
- Inaugurates Bayelsa Media Complex (Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation Radio Bayelsa 97.1 FM), Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation (publisher of New Waves Newspaper) and Niger Delta Television.
- He completed 10 road projects ( The roads include: St. John’s School road, Ogbogoro, Dimeari Street, off Barath road, Biogbolo, Chief Akoi Street, off Barath road, Yenizue-Gene, Akali street, Etegwe, Trust Akada Street, off NIIT Bakery road, Etegwe, Old Etegwe road, off Tombia-Amassoma road, Amalala close, off Bakery road, Azikoro, Ebikederi/Assemblies of God Church road, Akenfa, Egili road, Yenizue-Gene, Rev. Asingba road, Yenizue-Gene, Chief Kia road, Ede-Epie, Nengi road by Myrtle Crescent, Opolo, DonCont street, Amarata and a section of road off Okutukutu School road)
Criticism/Controversy
In August 2021, it was reported that Diri and his aides had forced their way through security checkpoints at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while trying to board the inaugural United Nigeria Airlines Lagos-to-Yenagoa flight.