Gov Diri Visits Bereaved Family Of Ex-Minister Isoun

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, paid a condolence visit to the family of a former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, in Abuja.

The Bayelsa-born renowned scholar was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the erstwhile University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), Port Harcourt, and died on July 15, 2026 at the age of 87.

Governor Diri, who commiserated with the wife, the children, his extended family and the Odi community on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, said the Ijaw nation and Nigeria lost a statesman, leader and activist who impacted many lives in different ways.

He described his relationship with the late iconic figure as that between a father and son, recalling the last time he visited him and how warmly he was received.

He said: “Personally, I lost a father, a leader and an uncle. I remember visiting him here last year and I took photographs with him and our mother, his wife. I’m aware how she took care of him until his passing and I want to appreciate you for being there for him. Since you came into this family, you have been an anchor, raising your children and at the same time taking care of us that are not your biological children.”

The Bayelsa governor urged the family to accept his demise as the will of God and that they should be consoled that he left unforgettable footprints.

“Is it about our struggle for resource control? Is it about the creation of Bayelsa State or about the environment? He did so much that we can never forget him.

“I vividly recall an encounter I had with him when the late Ogoni rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, was killed by the military junta. I was then the National Organising Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress while Prof was chairman of the INC Central Zone.

“After a meeting of the INC, we wrote a letter stating our position on the killing of Saro-Wiwa and, of course, it was against the federal government. The responsibility of taking that letter round for it to be signed fell on me and the current Commissioner for Ijaw Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomo, who was then the Assistant National Organising Secretary.

“Before visiting Prof, we all thought, including our president then, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, that he would raise some academic argument and might not sign the letter. But to our surprise, without asking questions, he was the first to sign it. That was how seriously Prof took Ijaw matters.

“Talking about the Wetland Centre in Yenagoa, Prof groomed a lot of us as young men then on how to protect our environment. So, he did so much. Indeed, we lost a father, a mentor and a true Ijaw son.”

Responding on behalf of the family, his son, Diseye Isoun, thanked the governor and his entourage for the visit, stating that they were humbled and comforted by the show of love.

He also expressed appreciation to the Ijaw nation, Nigerians and friends of the family across the world for their solidarity, support and prayers since the death of their father and patriarch.

Also, his wife, Miriam Isoun, while thanking the visitors, recalled her relationship with her late husband, saying they both worked together as one and shared many things in common.

She said: “Through one organisation or another, through one training or another, we worked together. As Prof was getting old, we were all getting old together. But we supported each other so that aging becomes a privilege. There are things we could still do and the fact that we are aging, it means we will do it better.”

The governor was accompanied on the visit by a high-powered delegation that included the former Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, the House of Representatives member for Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Fred Agbedi, his Ogbia Federal Constituency counterpart, Dr. Mitema Obordor, Chief Godspower Oporomo as well as the Chairman, Bayelsa Civil Service Commission, Perekiye Buruboyefe, and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on International Development and Liaison, Mrs. Funkazi Koroye-Crooks.

Others were the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki as well as the Chairman, Governing Council of the Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Tarela Tebepah, and Dr. Isaac Kumokou.