BAYELSA State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed all members of the State Executive Council to undergo compulsory medical examinations, following the sudden death of his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in December.
News Point Nigeria reports that the governor issued the directive on Wednesday during a cabinet meeting held in Yenagoa, describing regular health checks as essential for public office holders whose demanding schedules often take a toll on their wellbeing.
Diri specifically instructed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Seiyefa Brisibe, to ensure immediate compliance by all commissioners and senior government officials.
According to the governor, the directive became necessary in the wake of the late deputy governor’s demise, stressing that while death is inevitable, proactive health management could help prevent avoidable fatalities.
“As public servants with hectic responsibilities, we must always ensure that we are medically fit. All members of the State Executive Council must go for compulsory health check-ups. This is a directive and must be carried out,” Diri said.
He added that although humans cannot escape death, taking preventive health measures remains crucial for longevity and productivity.
The governor also disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted on the late Ewhrudjakpo to determine the cause of death, assuring Bayelsans that the findings would be made public at the appropriate time.
“I directed that an autopsy be conducted and the result is ready. At the right time, we will make it public,” he stated.
Diri, however, cautioned against attempts to politicise the deputy governor’s death, expressing disappointment that some individuals chose to speculate rather than show compassion during the period of mourning.
“While we were mourning, some people were politicising the death of our deputy governor instead of showing love and compassion. This was not expected in our state,” he said.
He further announced that a burial committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, had been inaugurated, adding that the burial date would be announced soon.
Ewhrudjakpo reportedly slumped and died on December 11, 2025, throwing the state into deep mourning. His death was officially announced more than 24 hours later, after the Peoples Democratic Party had already issued condolence messages to the state government and his family.
The delay and sudden nature of his passing triggered widespread public concern and speculation on social media, prompting the governor to order a post-mortem examination to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, the governor received an award plaque and a dummy cheque of $400,000 after Bayelsa State emerged first runner-up in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge for the South-South region.
The competition was supported by UNICEF, the Dangote Group, and other international development partners.
Commending the achievement, Diri described the recognition as refreshing and encouraging, noting that the government’s sustained investment in the health sector was yielding tangible results.
“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,” the governor said.
Earlier, Dr Brisibe attributed the state’s success in the competition to Governor Diri’s unwavering commitment to healthcare development, adding that Bayelsa’s health reforms were gaining national and international recognition.
He also presented the governor with a Distinguished Leadership Award in Governance, in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives in Bayelsa State and Nigeria at large.