*The two fishermen, Pedro Mateus and Isnaic Dafonseca, rescued eight days ago by Bayelsans, when they missed their way while fishing in their country,Sao Tome and Principe.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday, 5th September, 2026, at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, formally handed over two rescued fishermen from Sao Tome and Principe to the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Carlos Manuel Moreno.
The two fishermen, Pedro Mateus and Isnaic Dafonseca were rescued eight days ago by Bayelsans in Agge, Ekeremor Local Government Area, when they missed their way while fishing in their country, and were handed to the state government by the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Onniye.
Governor Diri in his remarks, stated, “First, I like to thank God for a day like this that our brothers from Sao Tome and Principe who lost their way while embarking on their business, were found in Nigeria here in Bayelsa State.
” Let it be on record that this is the second time that we are receiving our brothers from Sao Tome and Principe, because the last time, it was in Brass Local Government Area, and this time around, they were recovered in Ekeremor Local Government Area which is also by the Atlantic Ocean. I keep saying that all of our three senatorial districts leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
“I want to thank God for the life of these two gentlemen, who are now looking very healthy, and let me also thank you for the prompt response from your embassy, because, as soon as we are informed by the chairman of the Ekeremor Local Government Area that some of our African brothers from Sao Tome and Principe lost their way, and that they have been in the sea for about eight days and strayed into the Nigerian waters, precisely to Bayelsa, I directed that they should be brought from Ekeremor.
”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.
” So, 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”, Governor Diri stated.
The governor was joined by the Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, Commissioner for Information Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Faith Zibs Godwin, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa and other top government officials.
Ambassador Carlos Manuel Moreno was joined by Jerushah Danboyi, Executive secretary of embassy of Sao Tome and Principe.