From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred national honours on distinguished Nigerians including eight Bayelsans.
Leading the pack is Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva who has been announced as Commander of The Order Of the Niger (CON).
Former governor of old Rivers State, and former chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amanayanbo of Twon Brass was conferred with Commander of the Order of Federal Republic( CFR).
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Azikel group, Dr Eruani Azibapu Godlbless was also conferred with CFR.
Bayelsans on the list of those conferred with Officer of the Order of the Niger( OON) are Alabo Nengi James, Chairman Civil Liberty Organisation, Bayelsa and National vice- president, Ijaw National Congress( INC) Others are former Director- General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons( NAPTIP), Dr Julie Okah. Also on the list is the Peoples Democratic Party Bayelsa Central Senatorial district candidate for the 2023 elections, Hon Friday Konbowei Benson.
Benson had before now been the longest serving speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and also the immediate past Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government.
Those conferred with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) are for director- general of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr Matthew Benabafa Seiyefa and the former Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House, Chief Benson Sunday Agadaga who is also the PDP candidate for Bayelsa East Senatorial district.