■■Hands them over to Sao Tome and Principe Head of Mission to Nigeria
“First, I got the news of the rescue of these fishermen informally, before I now tried to use a formal government system and the security to confirm that we had two citizens of Sao Tome and Principe, who were rescued by some Bayelsa fishermen in Okpoma in Brass Local Government of the State, while one was rescued by the NIMASA.
And so, I directed that the three of them be brought to Yenagoa, so that they can undergo health checks and probably contact the Sao Tome and Principe Government.
Fortunately, the Sao Tome and Principe Government’s Head of Missions in their Embassy here in Nigeria made contacts with the Government of Bayelsa State, and he informed us that he was coming down to Yenagoa to receive the rescued fishermen.
When they were found by our fishermen who had gone in search for one of their own who also went missing, there was a language barrier, because they speak Portuguese and we speak English, but they were quick to know that these ones were lost, and so they brought them safely to Bayelsa State, precisely at Okpoma, and handed them over to the security.
And today, we have their Head of Mission who is here to ensure that they are safe, and they are returned to their country.
I am really very proud of our fishermen who have exhibited their Ijawness, because the Ijaw man is very welcoming, accommodating, and is one who loves humanity.
I thank them, and I also use this medium to thank the NIMASA also for the one they rescued and brought to us.
Let me use this medium to appreciate the Government of Sao Tome and Principe for going after their citizens who went missing in the Atlantic Ocean for over one week trying to find their way, and the Gulf of Guinea drifted them to the Nigerian boundary.
And so Nigeria formally through the Government of Bayelsa State is handing over your citizens to you.
Thank you and God bless you.”
Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, speaking, while officially handing over the three fishermen from San Tome and Principe that were rescued in Bayelsa State, to the Head of Missions of Sao Tome and Principe in Nigeria, Pires Dos Santos Aguiar and his entourage, at the Governor’s Office, Government House, Yenagoa.
