Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has handed over two fishermen from São Tomé and Príncipe who were rescued in the state after drifting into Nigerian waters.
Diri handed over the fishermen, Pedro Mateus and Isnaic Dafonseca, to Carlos Moreno, São Tomé and Príncipe’s ambassador to Nigeria, on Saturday at the governor’s country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa.
The fishermen were rescued on August 28 by residents of Agge in Ekeremor LGA after they reportedly lost their way while fishing.
Chairman of Ekeremor LGA, Isaac Onniye, subsequently handed them over to the Bayelsa State Government.
Speaking during the handover, Diri thanked God for the safe recovery of the fishermen and commended the São Tomé and Príncipe embassy for its prompt response.
He said it was the second time Bayelsa had rescued fishermen from the island nation after they strayed into Nigerian waters.
“This is the second time that we are receiving our brothers from Sao Tome and Principe. The last time, it was in Brass Local Government Area, and this time around, they were recovered in Ekeremor Local Government Area,” he said.
The Governor disclosed that the fishermen had spent about eight days at sea before they were found, adding that the state government is committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of their status or nationality.
Diri said the handover would further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe.
He said, “For me, every citizen, no matter how lowly or highly placed, is important, and we must treat every citizen with equity and equality that they actually deserve.
“I want to officially hand them over to you, so that we know that the bond and the friendship between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe, and precisely Bayelsa, will continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Diri was accompanied by Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, commissioner for information, orientation and strategy; Faith Zibs Godwin, commissioner for marine and blue economy; Irorodamie Komonibo, acting chief of staff at the Government House, Yenagoa; and other government officials.
São Tomé and Príncipe’s ambassador was accompanied by Jerushah Danboyi, executive secretary of the São Tomé and Príncipe embassy in Nigeria.
