The British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Mrs Gill Lever, has commended Bayelsa State for what she described as strong leadership in youth protection, good governance and community resilience, following the conclusion of a three-day working visit to the state.
Speaking at the end of the visit, Lever said the UK-funded Serious and Organised Crime Prevent Programme, known locally as the Brighter Futures Programme, had made a lasting impact in the state.
“Bayelsa continues to demonstrate strong leadership in protecting young people, promoting good governance and strengthening community resilience.
“The Brighter Futures Programme has made a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people here, and I am proud that its legacy will now be carried forward by the Bayelsa State Government.
“Our partnerships here remain essential to building safer, more inclusive and more prosperous communities,” she said.
The remarks were contained in a statement issued by the Senior Press and Public Affairs British High Commission Onyinye Madu, made available to PUNCH online on Sunday.
According to the statement, the visit formed part of the UK-funded Serious and Organised Crime Prevent Programme, which supports at-risk young people with skills development, mentoring and resilience-building initiatives to prevent recruitment into criminal networks.
The programme, which reportedly achieved an 80 per cent successful diversion rate, is expected to conclude its current phase in March 2026, with full ownership transitioning to the Bayelsa State Government.
“The programme is concluding its current phase in March 2026, with full ownership transitioning to the Bayelsa State Government, a testament to the strong local leadership and commitment that has defined the partnership from the outset,” the statement read.
During the visit, Lever met with Governor Douye Diri to review progress made under the programme and formally acknowledged him as a Prevent Ambassador in recognition of what the UK described as his sustained commitment to youth protection.
Discussions also focused on expanding the programme’s reach to additional local government areas and vulnerable communities across the state.
The Deputy High Commissioner also held talks with the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Gloria Diri, on women’s political empowerment, leadership development and expanded support for women and girls.
As part of her engagements, Lever met with civil society organisations, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Civil Liberties Organisation, Fringe Voices and the International Federation of Women Lawyers.
The groups shared insights on governance, civic participation, youth vulnerability and security trends in the state.
She further paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, where discussions centred on the role of traditional institutions in sustaining peace and community cohesion.
At a community town hall in Amarata, beneficiaries of the Brighter Futures Programme shared testimonies of how skills acquisition and mentoring initiatives had redirected them away from organised crime and toward productive livelihoods.
The visit comes ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned state visit to the United Kingdom on March 18–19, 2026, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The British High Commission said the engagement in Bayelsa reflects the broader UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership and the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership aimed at promoting sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
It added that the UK remains committed to advancing long-term stability, women’s empowerment and community-driven development in Bayelsa through partnerships with government, traditional institutions and civil society groups.
