CITATION OF COMRADE WAIBODEI PETER YERI, CAPTAIN, ANTO

WHO IS THIS MAN?

Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri Capt. ANTO, State Secretary Organizer, The Boys' Brigade Nigeria, Bayelsa State Council from 19th June 2010 to 21st December, 2020.

Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri was born on the 27th day of March, 1972 to the families of Late Chief M. B. Yeri of Ogboebiama and Mrs. Agoroere Otukpo (Nee Omonibo) of Waiduwei-Ama all in the Commercial city of Amassoma in the present day Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri had his Primary Education in Alomu Central School, Amassoma, he started his Secondary Education in Government Secondary School Amassoma in 1985 and Completed it in Government Secondary School Toru-Ebeni.

In 2003, he was admitted to read History and Diplomatic Studies from the prestigious and Unique University of Port Harcourt and Graduated in 2008. In other to enhance and boost his spiritual life he got enrolled into Revd. D. O. Ockiya College of Theology and Management Sciences, then an affiliate school of Paul University, Awka to read Theology and graduated in 2010 with distinction. Mr. Yeri's achievements in his educational pursuit should challenge students as well as Officers and Boys in the BB as it is often said “determination leads to success”

Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri has worked in several places, notably he was the Personal Assistant/Confidant to Mr. Abazi Yeigbagha of blessed memory, the then Police Orderly to the ADC to Dr. Peter Odili, then Executive Governor of Rivers State. He is presently a Grade Level twelve Civil Servant in the Administrative Department of the Yenagoa Local government Area of Bayelsa State.

Comrade Yeri joined the Boys' Brigade in 1997 as a Warrant Officer and was later inducted as the Pioneer Captain of the 42nd Port Harcourt Company attached to All Saints Anglican Izon Church, Rumueme in 1999.

In 2003, he was elected Chairman of the defunct Port Harcourt Groups Council and when the Group Council was upgraded to a Battalion Council status he was elected as the pioneer Secretary of the Garrison Battalion Council. When he relocated to Bayelsa the desire to revive the State Council became imperative, with the encouragement of his Boss the then SSO of the Rivers State Council, Rabbi Kingsley Ibanichuka, ANTO and his wife Mrs. Izobuodei Martha Yeri, he reluctantly applied and was appointed and subsequently inducted on the 19th day of June 2010 at St Peter's Anglican Church Yenagoa as the 2nd substantive SSO of the State Council. He is an Advanced National Training Officer of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria and also the current Zonal Secretary of the South South Zonal Council of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria.

Waibodei Peter Yeri is a motivational speaker, a Youth Activist, a founding member of the Ijaw Youth Council and a delegate to the famous Kaiama Declaration and has participated in several Youth Activities locally and internationally. He is also a member of Patriotic Elites Club of Amassoma and also a two time President of the Club, an Executive member of the Shalom Foundation, a Humanitarian Club for like mind and also a Member of Amnesty International.

He is a Christian of the Anglican Faith and held several posts in different Churches over the years. Yeri Peter as he is fondly called and known has travelled far and wide and also won several Awards within and outside Nigeria for his commitment, dedication, humility, kindness, generosity and sincerity in Youth building.  

Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri a trained Evangelist, Historian and Theologian has four books to his credit, The Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Bayelsa State Council; the journey so far (2016) others unpublished are; A history of Ogboin Clan: from foundation to 2006, A Religious History of Amassoma Community and Islam from Theological Perspective. He is happily married to his heartthrob Mrs. Izonbuodei Martha Yeri (Nee Isenah) of Odi Community in Kolga and the marriage is blessed with Children.

THOUGHTS ABOUT MR. YERI PETER

Former Assistance State Secretary Organizer, Bayelsa State Council; Mr. Reuben A. Reuben, Capt. Advanced National Training Officer, who served closely with him have this to say about him; “In his time as State Secretary-Organizer, the Boys’ Brigade experienced immense growth from number of Companies to Group/Battalion Councils, membership and trained Officers amongst others. His liberality also saw many attain their life goals. His selflessness have reproduced many dedicated leaders of purpose. His  impact of the numerous antisocial vices campaigns, seminars, lecture, visits, training courses, camps, etc on the members of the BB in Bayelsa and the society at large is so great”

In the same vein, the Ag. State Secretary Organizer, Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Ibookumor Daniel Adere, Captain who also is a close Ally of the former State Secretary Organizer have this today about him; “The Man Peter Yeri in a simple definition, is a Man who has a great zeal and has Sacrificed for the Positive growth of youths, He is a Motivator and a Father to Many. I pray for God to Bless you and His Goodness made visible in your life”

Former Chaplain, Okrika Battalion Council, Rivers State Council, Ven. Isaiah C. Isaiah, Jp said “God invested His Grace on Yeri Peter and it is still working for Him” 

“The Man Mr. Yeri Peter is just the Best” Comrade Isaiah Atonbere Aprioku, Secretary, Non Commissioned Officers’ Forum, Okrika Battalion Council, Rivers Sate Council.

“At Onelga Camp, when he came to give Lectures was the first time I saw him though I have not been close to him but few times I saw him, He is a Nice Person” Comrade Gift Abel, Welfare 1, Non Commissioned Officers’ Forum, Okrika Battalion Council, Rivers State Council.

“My thoughts about him in terms of Leadership all this years is still the same; He is a good Leader and we have achieved a lot from him as State Secretary Organizer in the Bayelsa State Council. Without exaggeration, hyping, fear or favour, he is a good man that is friendly in all angles” Comrade Christopher Isaac, WO, SSS, P.R.O. Yenagoa Battalion Council, Bayelsa State Council.

Mr. Aaron-Kune Daniel Otonte, Captain, National Training Officer, Bayelsa State Council said “Yeri is a man who is passionate about what he does and dedicated to what he believes, he is a kind of person that always wants his followers to be better than Him. He is a man that does not know how to give up, his driving force is the fact that Youths in Bayelsa becomes better people tomorrow. He’s a man who does not tolerate nonsense; he does not tolerate laziness and practically does the work of his Excos when they are not working”

“Much as I know this Man Yeri Peter from a distance, He is the perfect example of Friendliness” Billy Jacob (BillySax), Bayelsa State.

“Waibodei is my Childhood Friend, who believes in Scarifies for Friendship, he gives his all to make a Friend Happy. He is Kind, Simple, Truthful, Disciplined and straightforward” Mr. Aotendeike Boloigha, Bayelsa State.

“Much as I know about Mr. Yeri, he is a good person and God’s own” Papee R. Oyinki, Bayelsa State.

Mr. Ayoro Tariladei Daniel, Captain, State Training Officer,  Bayelsa State Council said; “Mr Peter Yeri, ANTO has worked meritoriously well for the Boys’ Brigade as he is the true embodiment of how a Leader should lead. He worked tirelessly for the Boy Child Ministry and also for individual Members. We as a state Council is proud of him as he has served well and my best wishes for him is greater heights”

“I Love that man Yeri Peter, he made, groomed, trained, scarified and exposed me to all round of life. He is a Youth builder, a Good Father, a Mentor, a Teacher, a Role Model who changed the narratives of the then Boys’ Brigade to the main aims and Objectives of the today’s happening. I cannot forget a  popular saying of his, The Boys’ Brigade was formed to curb the then issues, today is not different, we are to curb Social, Christian and other vises in our environment. Above all a Lover of the Boy Child Ministry” Mr. Ajoko Christo, Captain, National Training Officer, Bayelsa State Council.

Mr. Courage Ugbananson, Captain, National Training Officer, Rivers State Council said; “In as much as I know him from a distance, with the little time I conversed with him, he is accessible and teaches morals and most especially with his previous position as State Secretary Organizer Bayelsa State Council he brought out the Face of Boys’ Brigade to Limelight”

Mr. Kriss Sorgwe, Captain, State Training Officer, Bayelsa State Council said; “I am a product of his Leadership, I can’t deny that fact. Mr. Peter Yeri is one Passionate and purpose driven selfless Leader, I’ve come across. Socially he is humble and Humility has lead him this far. Mr. Peter Yeri Lead the Sheep (Leadership) beyond the honour”

COMRADE YERI POLICIES AND RESOLUTION IN HIS TEN YEARS OF STEWARDSHIP

As SSO for the past ten years a lot was achieved and a lot of Sacrifices were made by him, notably;

To drive the Founder’s vision, understanding the peculiar nature of the State and knowing that with the review of the BBN Constitution, were written State Bye-law will not be very possible at the time Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri came up with Policies and resolutions that became guiding principles and working documents. The following and many others were adopted at deferent times to guide the State Council in his work in the State;

• State Council's Spiritualization Policy of 2010: through this policy emphasis was placed on spirituality and the BB was brought back to the Church
• State Recruitment and Expansion Policy of 2010: that led to the aggressive spread of the BB in the State.
• State Council Enrollment Policy of 2010: to give a proper direction and Coordination to the enrollment processes.
• State Steadfast Band Policy of 2010: which was to ensure the Establishment and training of the Steadfast Band and proper use of the band in church related activities
• State Patrons Orientation Policy of 2010: to Educate them on their roles and responsibilities as Patrons.
• State Council Training Policy of 2010: to ensure that training is sustained annually and at all levels including the annual State Council Seminar were Patrons and Chaplains too participated.
• State Council Education Policy of 2011: to encourage and support members to take Education serious.
• State Finance Policy of 2011: to generate internal funds to run the system.
• State Welfare Policy of 2012: to assist our selves when in need
• State Council Burial Policy of 2012: to Coordinate Our participation in burials and to curb the abuse of uniform and the band in burials.
• State Council's Anti-Cultism Policy of 2012: to ensure that our members does not belong to any Cult or Association inimical to our faith as a Christian Organization and to Campaign against Crime and Criminality.
• State Council's Operation Rescue the Boy Policy of 2012: to enable us have interaction with Parents and find out our members activities both at home and in their Schools, punish them were necessary if found wanting and Encourage them with awards were we receive positive report from the parents
• State Council Restructuring Policy of 2012: This led to the Balkanization of the State Council to Battalion and Group Councils.
• State Moral Education Policy of 2013: to write and use a unified State Council BB Bible Study Mantate Evangelism Policy Of 2013: that led to the Open Air Crusades all over the State
• State Council Surveillance Squad Policy of 2014: were the Surveillance Squad was established to assist in Crowed Control, maintain, Law, Order and Discipline among the Boys, intelligence gathering and many other menial tasks are carried out by them to assist the Law Enforcement Agencies.
• State Council Advocacy Policy of 2015: to Enlighten the Society on vices and create awareness on issues of public interest.
• State Council Promotion Policy of 2017: to ensure that Ranks are not giving indiscriminately but by merit
• State Council Media Policy of 2019: to give aggressive publicity and Media Coverage of our activities.
• State Steadfast Training Institute Policy of 2020: that is intended to have a centralized Training beyond the SITCs to cover Drill, Band, Skills Development and Leadership.

While there are still several other steps taken to give proper Administration to the BB these as itemized are written to show how committed and focused the State Council have been under the leadership of Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri.

These achievements as itemized are not made without sacrifices which Mr. Yeri paid dearly in the course of the hectic Service.

In other to give focus and Coordinate the work properly the following Units were created and coordinated directly by the State Council through his Leadership; 

• The State Steadfast Band: The Band can compete favourably with any Band anywhere.
• The Steadfast Prayer and Spirituality Unit: This Unit Coordinate our Crusades and other spiritual Activities
• The Steadfast Surveillance Squad: This gallant Unit has been very functional and remains a pride of Boys’ Brigade, Bayelsa State Council.
• Bayelsa State Steadfast Media (BSSM): That has consistently promoted the image of the Boys’ Brigade in the State and beyond.
• The Steadfast Medical Unit: This Unit too over time had made work easy for the Leadership by responding rapidly to emergency medical cases.
• The Steadfast Welfare Unit: This Unit too is always good to go in meeting the welfare needs of our teaming members.

Mr. Yeri, for the past ten years have been consistent in his youth development mandate as giving to him by God.

HIS PARTING WORDS

The hour has come!

“I came I saw and I conquered. What is done is done, what is not done is not done, let it be. For those I offended, am sorry it's not deliberate, those that offended me I have nothing against you. Lord in my imperfection you led me thus far to you alone be all the Glory. As I humbly bow out today may you plant LOVE among the Rank and File of the Organization that our collective labour will not be in vain and the vision of the founder will not die in neither our hands nor our time, above all bless my family and remember me in your Kingdom. Lord am happy for ending well!!!”

Glory be to God!!!

HIS END OF ADMINISTRATIVE SESSION PRAYER

Lord, it is the end. The end is for transition. Let us continue in another level in thy presence. It is the end after a long walk in the Vineyard. What has been done has been done: what has not been done has not been done: let it be. The future is unpredictable. Let our fears of the unknown things of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The end is peaceful. Let the quietness of Your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The end heralds a new beginning. Let us look expectantly to a new Administration, new Efforts and new possibilities that we shall have reasons to glorify your name as an Organization. As the end comes today, I pray for love, unity, oneness, team work, harmony and tranquility among the rank and file of our Noble Organization that as we end our labour here we shall be found worthy to continue the good work in your heavenly kingdom.

These we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Ladies and Gentlemen, behold and let's celebrate the Williams Smith of our time Comrade Waibodei Peter Yeri, Captain, ANTO.