Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has promised to boost cooperation between the state and the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Diri spoke on Saturday while officially handing over two fishermen, Pedro Mateus and Isnaic Dafonseca, to Carlos Moreno, the Chargé d’Affaires of the São Tomé Embassy. This took place at his home in Sampou.
The fishermen had drifted into Nigerian waters and were rescued by local fishermen in Agge, Ekeremor Local Government Area. They had spent about eight days at sea before their rescue.
The governor called the rescue a sign of the strong bond between Bayelsa and São Tomé. He noted that both areas share the Gulf of Guinea and have strong maritime links.
Diri mentioned that this was the second time fishermen from São Tomé had been rescued in Bayelsa. The first incident happened in Brass LGA in July 2023.
He explained that these incidents happen partly due to weather conditions in the Gulf of Guinea. He said the closeness of the two regions offers chances for better cooperation.
"This shows you how close Nigeria, Bayelsa and São Tomé and Príncipe are in the Gulf of Guinea," he said.
Diri added that all three senatorial districts in Bayelsa have access to the Atlantic Ocean. He described the state's maritime resources as a big chance for economic growth.
When the governor got the news of the fishermen's rescue, he ordered that they be taken to Yenagoa, the state capital, for medical care at the Government House clinic.
He also praised the São Tomé and Príncipe government and its diplomats for their quick response and support.
"Today, I want to officially hand them over to you so that we know that the bond between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe, and specifically Bayelsa, will keep growing stronger," he stated.
Moreno thanked the governor and the Bayelsa government for the care and hospitality shown to the rescued fishermen.
He revealed that the fishermen were actually his relatives. He said this incident shows that the relationship between the two countries is more than just geographical.
"This ceremony has taught me very well, in various senses, that we are not just neighbours but also sisters," he added.
Moreno explained that the fishermen drifted towards Bayelsa after their GPS battery ran out while they were fishing.
The delegation from São Tomé included Jerushah Danboyi, the Executive Secretary of the embassy. The governor was accompanied by Dr Faith Zibs-Godwin, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, and Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, among others.
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