Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri visits family of late Minister Turner Isoun

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State travelled to Abuja on Friday to offer condolences to the family of the late Prof. Turner Isoun, who died on 15 July 2026 at age 87. Isoun, a former Minister of Science and Technology, was the pioneer Vice‑Chancellor of the former University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University).

During the visit Diri praised Isoun as a statesman, activist and mentor, saying, “I lost a father, a leader and an uncle.” He recalled Isoun’s role in supporting Ijaw causes, including the joint letter the Ijaw National Congress sent after the killing of activist Ken Saro‑Wiwa. Diri urged the widow, Miriam Isoun, and their children to accept the loss as God’s will and highlighted Isoun’s lasting impact on resource‑control struggles and the creation of Bayelsa State.