By Peter Omopo
September 5, 2025 | Yenagoa
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has unveiled plans to honour Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, with a book on his leadership style, a public lecture series, and the endowment of a professorial chair in Political Science.
The Managing Director of UNILAG Consult, Prof. John Oyefara, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday. He said the book project, titled “Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri,” documents the governor’s achievements and governance philosophy.
According to him, UNILAG has a tradition of evaluating Nigerian leaders using globally recognised templates, and Diri was identified as a “leading star in Nigeria” based on his record of inclusive governance and developmental strides.
“We also propose a public lecture where renowned African leaders will speak on leadership and governance, while a professorial chair will be endowed in the Department of Political Science in his honour,” Oyefara added.
The project’s Lead Editor, Prof. Hope Eghagha, explained that the book was an independent assessment of the governor’s performance across infrastructure and human capital development, backed by field interviews.
In his response, Governor Diri said he was pleasantly surprised by the gesture, noting that proper documentation of governance achievements was critical for posterity. He welcomed the initiatives and revealed that he had long considered establishing a leadership institute in Bayelsa to groom future political office holders.
“If you are not prepared for leadership, then we are bound to fail as a country and as a state. That is why this gesture is so meaningful,” Diri said, stressing that his administration’s progress was the result of teamwork by his commissioners, advisers, and aides.
Diri approved the proposals and expressed appreciation to UNILAG for recognising his administration’s efforts.
Since assuming office in February 2020, following a Supreme Court ruling, Governor Diri has been noted for his inclusive and development-focused governance, a legacy UNILAG now seeks to immortalise through scholarship and public discourse.
