Sunday 4 August 2019

Chief Godwin Diriyai Celebrates 90th Birthday

By Perekeme Odon


Birthday celebrations can be defined as memorable at any age; nevertheless commemorating a milestone birthday like 90 years undoubtedly justifies a celebration.
Chief Godwin Ataria Youbai Diriyai
There were lots of felicitations and feasting on August 3, 2019 as the family of Chief Godwin Ataria Youbai Diriyai hosted guests and the general public to celebrate with them as their loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather clocked 90 years.
Chief Godwin Diriyai & Guests at The Party
The celebration was held at his home in Kaiama, Kolokuma / Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa state amid heaps of pomp and pageantry with family members, friends and well wishers from far and near who came to spice up the event, saying that Chief Diriyai would be recorded as one of the first elderly men in the family to hit the nonagenarian landmark.
Chief Godwin Diriyai
Chief Diriyai, a civilized and well-respected courteous man with over 30 years experience, as a railway worker with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have always been constructive and eloquent in all his dealings.
Chief Godwin Diriyai
Born in Bukuru, Plateau state of Nigeria on August 3, 1929. After three months of birth, his mother took him home to Kaiama, now Bayelsa state where he attended Proctor Memorial Primary School from 1938-1945 and two years later he proceeding to the famous Metropolitan College, Onitsha, Anambra state from 1946-1951 where he wrote his West Africa School Certificate Examination and excelled.

He joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 1952 and got posted to the Nigerian Railway Training School, Ebute Metta. After his training on railway traffic, he was posted to various places around the country for practical works before been confirmed as Railway Traffic Staff.
Chief Godwin Diriyai As A Railway Traffic Staff
According to him, “It was my first time in life to enter a train, so I enjoyed entering and traveling in the railways. That made me to know several places.”

As time went by, he proceeded for a six-month course in India for more professional training in railway operations and that took him to Mumbai, Bombay and several parts of India. After working for 31 years, Chief Diriyai voluntarily retired and came back to the Kaiama to start life independently. He engaged in political matters and held few appointments.

“Well, to the best of my knowledge, I have not heard of anyone in my family who had lived 90 years or over. I am happy that not all of us that started school or born of the same time are alive today. God has been so good to me as I have been living happily as a retired railway man.”
Chief Godwin Diriyai
Chief Diriyai is blessed with 17 children (6 male and 11 female) from two wives and several grand and great grand children.
Chief Diriyai & Family
His advise to the youths is for them to acquire good and quality education after secondary school to better themselves if there is an opportunity. “Except if no way, they should struggle on your own so that they can fit into the society positively and become a reasonable personnel without depending on others.”

Chief Godwin Diriyai & His Wife
He also emphasized on the Ijaw language not spoken like when they were growing up and counseled parents to teach their children how to speak their languages. “Imagine children born and grew up in Kaiama cannot speak the Ijaw language, but prefer to speak pidgin English to communicate with their parents instead of the Kolokuma dialect, and some parents see no fault in that. We should cultivate the habit of our children understanding our languages and culture thoroughly well."
Chief Godwin Diriyai & His Son Pius Diriyai

Barr. Dimie Berezi

Guests At The Party
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Wednesday 31 July 2019

DGN Confers Engr. Daniel Omyibo Patron

By Perekeme Odon

The Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) stormed the city of Oleh in Isoko Kingdom of Delta state of Nigeria to conferred on a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, Engr. Daniel Omoyibo as the patron of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).
Engr. Daniel Omoyibo
The event, which took place Dantinajo Gold Resort, Oleh, Isoko was held on Sunday, July 28 2019, turned out to be a celebration as the communities and spectators swamped the streets in their great numbers to catch a glimpse of their screen idols that were having a field day in the Isoko kingdom.
(l-r) KOK, Chief Fred amata, Engr. Omoyibo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Zeb Ejiro (MON) & Patience Ozorkwu

Engr. Omoyibo, a capitalist businessman and lover of the make believe art, was nominated following his adoration, admiration and determination to inspire filmmakers and the movie industry at large. Undeniably, it was a moment of concentrated enthusiasm for the people as the stars paid courtesy visits to a few high profile traditional rulers and kings at various kingdoms.
Hilda Dokubo & Fidelis Duker
Nollywood actor and incumbent President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr. Fred Amata was honoured with a chieftaincy title, in Oleh Community, Delta State by the Odio- Ologbo of Oleh kingdom, HRM Anthony Williams Onovughe Ovrawah as the Okugbe of Oleh Kingdom at his palace in Oleh. The DGN President was bestowed the honour through a courtesy visit with members of the guild and actors to the royal father led by Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, who was later made patron of DGN in a groundbreaking occasion.
Fred Amata Been Conferred As The Okugbe of Oleh Kingdom
According to the DGN President, “The title I’ve been given is Okugbe, which means ‘The Gatherer’; one who causes unity, the one that gathers people together which is very close to the name that my father gave me.” He went on to further state that, “It came as a surprise but I give God the glory. I was made a chief in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and that makes me carry it loudly. “I’m happy and grateful to God for this. I also thank the Odio- Ologbo of Oleh kingdom, HRM Anthony Williams Onovughe Ovrawah, ” Amata said.
(l-r) Chief Fred Amata & DGN Patron, Engr. Daniel Omotibo
However, the conferring of Engr. Omoyibo as the patron of DGN took fanfare of dancing and bounding with great jubilation from his people. The newly conferred patron promised to invest deeply in Nollywood, announced the sum of N50 million as an endorsement funds for practitioners in the industry and urged the leadership of DGN to sort out modalities for the disbursement of the funds, which he said would be managed by an independent entity. In addition to donating N10 million to support the celebration of DGN at 20 Anniversary which logo was also unveiled at the event and N1 million each to the six geo-political zones of DGN.
(l-r) Newton Barabara, Cres Ugo, Johnbull, Uchenna Agbo & Emeka Jonathan
Speaking at the conferment ceremony, the President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Fred Amata noted that the industry desired somebody to advocate the course and help with its objectives. The challenges need a powerful champion who could help us with some of our dreams and our aspirations. 
(l-r) Emgr. Daniel Omotibo, Chief Rachael Oniga & Francis Duru
“As we were speaking I knew I had to come back to the land of my birth and seek eminently qualified people but little did we know that we were going to find a man of his rare form of philanthropy, his humility, his influence in society, a man who likes to build people’s institution, a man who is dedicated to developing the youths. We said we have found the right person,” said Fred Amata.
Chief Fred Amata Addressing crowd At The conferment Ceremony
Amata additional defined the Director’s Guild of Nigeria as the apex guild in the movie-making sector of the creative sector. “DGN is custodian of the film making culture of Nigeria over the years. We have had a guild that has stood in the forefront of the pursuit of standards and quality of the regulations in the movie industry. This entire ceremony is like a prelude to DGN at 20. DGN was set up to look after the welfare and the progress of the industry and has continued to do so since inception.”
Chief Fred Amata & Engr. Daniel Omoyibo
On his acceptance speech as Patron of DGN, the philanthropist cum entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Danmotech Limited and Dantinajo Gold Resort Limited Engr. Omoyibo said it is divine, adding that Nollywood would experience changes within few weeks. “It is divine; if it’s not divine it wouldn’t have been possible. I feel good and happy. Since I was young I’ve had love for the actors and the entertainment industry. What really motivated me to accept being a patron is because I feel that this industry has been empowering people right from time.”
Engr. Daniel Omoyibo In A Pose with Daughter & Friends
He went on to further state that, “I’ve been in business for twenty two years and what I always talk about is change; there is no where I step in that you will not see change. In the next few days and months, you will see changes in DGN.”

Omoyibo nevertheless crave the moviemakers to come and make movies in Oleh, stating that there are nice locations and great landmarks in the community.

“Forget about Lagos for now, forget about Enugu or Asaba, come to Oleh, come to Isoko. We have rivers, we have shores, and many places where you can make films. I want you actors to bring this film industry down to Isoko land.”

(l-r) South South DGN Coordinator, Dr. Ogunbiyi & Ifeanyi Azoodo
The patron, Engineer Omoyibo who is committed to peace and security in Isoko land is always a cheerful giver who is loved by many for his kind gestures and helping hand especially in his community Oleh, which also houses his five star hotels, Dantinajoe Gold Resort. He is portrayed as one man with a benevolent heart for youth and infrastructural development. He also used the event to empower over 73 youths and widows on skills acquisitions and businesses with N1 million each with cheques doled out by celebrities present.
Actor Chiwetalu Agwu & Zeb Ejiro (OON)
For the admiration, he has for his homeland, the billionaire businessman provisionally relocated Nollywood to Isoko Kingdom as who’s who in the industry was in attendance at the event. 

IK Ogbonna & Monalisa Chinda
Present at the event are VP DGN, China McCollins Chidebe, Francis Duru, Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Yinka Akanbi, Ricardo Agbor, Teco Benson (MON), Zeb Ejiro (OON), Fidelis Duker, Ejike Asiegbu, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Eucharia Anunobi, IK Ogbonna, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Alex Osifo, Rachael Oniga, Patience Ozorkwu, Peddie Okao, Davidson Izegaegbe, Johnbull Eghianruwa, Francis Onwochei, Chico Ejiro, Andy Amenechi, Hilda Dokubo, Tony Akposheri, Matthias Obahiagbon, Obi Osotule, Keppy, Emeka Ossai, Ekpeyong, Ifeanyi Azodo, Sunny Nnajiude, DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon, National Secretary, Uchenna Agbo and National Provost, Osita Okoli. 

Others include Victor Emeghara, Newton Barabara, Fred Mayford, Chairman, South-South Coordinator, Dr. Ogunbiyi, Chairman, South-East Coordinator, Engr. Chinedu Anuche, Tagbo Ability, Holy Steve Ogbuefi, Tony Iyke Ezendigbo, Emeka Jonathan, Prince Emeka Ani, Prince Isaac Kolawole, Abay Esho, Eazzy Ologe, Mathew Nwankwo, Monica Friday, Judith Audu, Chyke Chekwas, Chief Ejiro Ekurame, Chairman, Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Emma Eyaba, Assistant National Secretary, Ugo Cres, among others.
Patience Ozorkwu Leading The Prayer Session At the King's Palace
Dantinajo Gold Resort, Oleh, Delta State
Former AGN President, Ejike Asiegbu & Hilda Dokubo
Ifeanyi Azodo & Kanayo O. Kanayo
Chief Opa Williams Addressing The Oleh Chief Council
DGN President, Chief Fred Amata (Okugbe of Oleh Kingdom)
South South DGN Secretary, Fred Mayford & Teco Benson (MON)
A Group Photo With Staff Of Dantinajo Gold Resort, Oleh.

(l-r)Mathias Obahiagbon, Fidelis Duker, Fred Amata, Omoyibo, Miss Omoyibo & Andy Amenechi
Francis Onwuchie & Tony Akposheri
Perekeme Odon, IK Ogbonna & Yinka Akanbi
(l-r) DGN Lagos Zone Coordinator, Yinka Alabi, Victor Emeghara & Rychado Agbor
(l-r) Keppy Ekpeyong, Francis Onwuchie & Eazzy Ologe
Chief Peddie Okao, Andy Amenechi & Ejike Asiegbu
(l-r) Ejike Asiegbu, Zeb Ejiro & DGN Lagos Zone Secretary, Abay Esho
Prince Emeka Ani & Obi Osotule
Mr. Obi Osotule
Dr. Alex Usifo & Chief Zeb Ejiro (OON)
IK Ogbonna & Royal Prince
Chinedu Ikedieze  & Zeb Ejiro (OON)

Tony Ezendigbo & Ik Ogbonna
Chinedu Ikedieze & Last Mugu
Victor Emeghara & Rychado Agbor
Actor IK Ogbonna & DGN Vice President, McCollins Chidebe
(l-r) Emeka Ossai, Patience Ozorkwu & Kanayo O. Kanayo
(l-r) Monalisa Chinda & Chief Ejiro Ekurame
Chief Rachael Oniga and MC
KOK On The Dance Floor In Isoko land
(l-r) Former DGN Presidents Matthias Obahiagbon & Andy Amenechi
(l-r) Engr. Omoyibo, Chiwetalu Agwu & Chief Fred Amata
Teco Benson (MON) & DGN Abuja Zonal Coordinator Emma Eyaba
Newton Barabara, McCollins Chidebe and Friends
A group Photo With The Odiologbo of Owhe Kingdom, Isoko
Chief Patience Ozorkwu & Chief Rachael Oniga
Director Sunny Nnajiude
Council of Chief of Owhe Kingdom of Isoko
Chief Zeb Ejiro (OON) & Chief Patience Ozorkwu (Mama G)
Former AGN President, Ejike Asiegbu & Tony Ezendigbo
Eucharia Anunobi
Kanayo O. Kanaya Introducing Members of AGN To The King
(L-R) Johnbull, Chinedu, Hilda, Engr. Omoyibo, Opa Williams & Davidson
Chief Zeb Ejiro (OON) & Tony Akposheri
Rychado Agbo & Eucharia Anunobi
(l-r) Fred Mayford, Rychado Agbo & Chief Zeb Ejiro (OON)
Staff of Dantinajo Gold Resort, Oleh, Isoko
Ability Tagbo & DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon
(L-R) Chief Peddie Okaio, Johnbull Eghianruwa & DGN Benin Coordinator, Davidson Izegaegbe
Tagbo Ability & A Colleague
DGN Vice President, McCollins Chidebe & A Colleague

Chief Emeka Ossai