The city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was filled with excitement on Saturday as family members, friends, political associates, and well-wishers turned out in large numbers to celebrate the birthday of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia.
The celebration, which featured a blend of sporting, entertainment, and humanitarian activities, attracted guests from different walks of life, adding colour to the three-day event organised in honour of the political leader.
The birthday activities commenced on Thursday, October 15, with a lively karaoke competition that provided an opportunity for participants and guests to showcase their musical talents in an atmosphere of fun, friendship, and camaraderie.
The programme continued with a snooker event on Friday, 16th, then followed by a novelty football match, where sports enthusiasts and other guests gathered to celebrate the celebrant through the unifying power of sports.
The three-day celebration climaxed at Triple C Signature, Agbura, Yenagoa, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to honour High Chief Cocodia and celebrate his contributions to public service and political development in Bayelsa State.
A major highlight of the celebration was the empowerment of ninety widows, underscoring the importance of compassion, social inclusion, and support for vulnerable members of society.
The initiative reflected the humanitarian dimension of the celebration, extending its significance beyond merriment to include a gesture of support for women facing the challenges of widowhood.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Abel Ebimofowei, in his remarks, congratulated the celebrant, describing him as a round peg in a round hole, and a personality worth associating with due to his character and traits.
In their separate goodwill messages, guests and associates commended High Chief Cocodia for his leadership qualities, accessibility, and commitment to public service, while wishing him greater accomplishments in his personal life and political career.
Party Chieftain, Sir Prof Felix Omemu, the State Coordinator of the Chief Collins Cocodia Foundation, Ms Tokoni Igbori, and Apostle Ariezibo Seibu, were among those who offered goodwill messages in honour of the celebrant.
The event also provided an opportunity for political associates, friends, and members of the wider community to reaffirm their relationships with the celebrant and appreciate his contributions to governance and political engagement in the state.
Speaking at he event, High Chief Collins Cocodia expressed his gratitude to all and sundry who came to celebrate with him on his birthday, as well as thanked his aides for organising the entire event in his honor.
The Political Adviser stressed that his intention was to have a parley with a number of widows, but his plan was overturned after he got wind of the plans of his aides to mark his birthday.
Guests at the event included Oil business mogul, Chief Waddel Torru, Special Adviser Political, Bayelsa West, Chief Stanley Braboke, His Royal Highness, Alaowei Okee, the Amadaowei of Adagbabiri community, who was the Royal Father of the Day, Chief Amb. Paul Ogoun, Chief Executive Officer, Paul Ogoun Foundation, and the Focal Person to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Ebiwari Wariowei.
Others were the Technical Adviser on Aquaculture, and General Duties, Sir Hon Godspower Ake, and Hon Aaron Alokpa respectively, Chairman Bayelsa Volunteers, Chief Lucky Asanakpo, Trorani Council of Chiefs, former Ogbia Council Chairman, Hon. Ebinyo Turner, among others.
Highlight of the event was a special prayers offered to the celebrant by the widows who graced the event, while popular Nigerian musician, Baba Sempe, and staff of Triple C Signature Hotels thrilled the guests with their performances.
