NATIONAL VIBES

By Tony Okechukwu Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman Peoples Democratic Governors Forum, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday, said the attack on the Judiciary by some political actors was a threat to the nation’s foundation and the development of democratic governance in the country. The Governor said that the onslaught on judiciary was aimed at weakening and destroying its independence which should be condemned. A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Wednesday, quoted Governor Dickson as having made the comment during the swearing-in of two new High Court Judges at Government House, Yenagoa. Those sworn-in are, Justice Ineikinimi Uzakah, a former Registrar of the High Court, and Justice Abasi Youngman, former Acting Director, Civil Litigation Department, Ministry of Justice. The Governor who called on Nigerians to give the necessary support and encouragement to the Judiciary as an independent arm of gove...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has said that he had directed the religious team and the body of clergy in the state to organize special prayers for the emergence of his successor. The Governor said while speaking in a live media chat on Tuesday that the issue of the selection of a governor for Bayelsa State was so crucial that it was important for the state to commit the process into the hand of God. A statement by the Special Adviser Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as having said that would embark on extensive consultations with key stakeholders of the state including Dr. Goodluck Jonathan towards ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free primaries designed to produce the party’s flag bearer. “I wish to also mention on this important issue the next person to govern the state I have directed our religious team to come up with a date when we will formally gather to fast and pray in seeking...

By Tony Okechukwu Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, dismissed an application filed by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, seeking to quash the entire charge preferred against Paul Usoro, SAN, President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Usoro was charged alongside Udom and others in a case of money laundering to the tune of N1.4 billion, belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government. The NBA President was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan of the same court on December 18, 2018. He was later re-arraigned before Justice Aikawa on a 10- count charge. One of the counts reads: “That you, Paul Usoro, SAN, Emmanuel Udom (currently constitutionally immune against criminal prosecution), Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko (still at large), Nsikan Linus Nkan, Commissioner of Finance, Akwa Ibom State (still at large), Mfon Jacobson Udomah, Accountant-General, Akwa Ibom State (still...

Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved the appointment of six new Permanent Secretaries in the state Public Service with effect from June 1. This is contained in a statement issued by the State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, on Thursday. He listed the appointed Permanent Secretaries to include Dr Eniayewun Benjamin, Medical Director Lagos Island Maternity; Mr Erinle Olufolami, Principal Apapa Senior High School, Education District IV; and Mrs Oludara Okelola, Principal Babs Fafunwa Millenium Senior Grammar School, Education District VI. Others are Mr Akewusola Adedamola, General Manager, New Town Development Authority; Mrs Falugba Yewande, Director, Admin and Human Resource, Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and Mr Osi-Efa Mustapha, Director Admin and Human Resource, Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the statement, the portfolios of the appointees will be announced later. The Governor also confirmed the appointment of Mr Gboyega A...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello has dissolved all Boards of Parastatals and government agencies in Niger state. This was contained in statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs who is overseeing Political Affairs, Yahaya Baba Wachiko made available to newsmen in Minna on Thursday. It would be recalled that the Governor recently dissolved the state executive council as well as other political appointees before his inauguration. However, Commissioners and Permanent Members, Directors General of some statutory Commissions and Agencies were exempted from the dissolution.  The Commissions and Agencies not affected by dissolution include Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, Law Reform Commission, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Niger State Judiciary Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission and State Independent Electoral Service Commission. Others include Niger State Universal Basic Education...

By Tony Okechuwku Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he will work with the speed of light in his second term because he believes that four years will elapse in no time. Speaking after inspecting the Mother and Child Hospital under construction and the Government Craft Development Centre being rehabilitated in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said that the process of projects delivery would be intensified for the good of Rivers people. He said: "Four years for us is like four months. So we have no time. Now that the people have given us another mandate, we should be able to give them the best". On the Mother and Child Hospital, Governor Wike informed that his administration has commenced re-modelling the facility because the former contractor failed to meet the required standard. "The Former Contractor failed to execute the contract in line with the specifications of the project. "If everything works well as we have agreed...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu Deputy Governor of Rivers State,  Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo has stated that the Committee to audit and investigate the 23 Local Government Councils is geared towards repositioning  the third tier of government as a bastion of grassroots development. Speaking during a meeting with council chairmen at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday,  Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo sought the cooperation of Council Chairmen in the course of the investigation. She said: "The committee invited the council Chairmen  to this meeting as key stakeholders in the Local Government structure . To seek your cooperation in carrying out the exercise. "I assure you that the purpose of the exercise  is not to witchhunt anybody,  but to re-position the Local Government Areas as a bastion of grassroots development and democratic  dividends. "The local government is the  closest tier of government to the people . Governor Wike ...

By Tony Okechukwu The Supreme Court on Friday described as “executive recklessness” the now rampant acts of governors dissolving democratically-elected local government councils in their states and replacing them with caretaker committees. The apex court also nullified the provisions of the laws enacted by the states’ Houses of Assembly empowering governors to carry out such dissolution and replace them with caretaker committees. A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, made the pronouncements, among others, in a unanimous judgment it delivered on Friday. The appeal in which the Supreme Court made the pronouncements arose from the dissolution of 16 local government councils in Ekiti State by the then Governor Kayode Fayemi. Fayemi, who is now the Minister of Mineral Resources, was said to have announced the dissolution of the councils in a radio announcement on October 29, 2010, when the chairmen still had up till December 19, 2011, to complete...

- Unveils 21-Reason Policy Document to support Choice Posted By Tony Okechukwu Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at its lavishly-furnished Campaign Headquarters in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, the leadership and management of the Romeo Bekeyei Campaign Organization (ROBCO), finally opened up on the identity of its candidate in the build-up to the November 2019 Bayelsa Gubernatorial Race. The well-attended event drew personalities, political stakeholders and associates from every nook and cranny of the oil-rich state. In a press statement signed by the Interim Spokesperson of the organization, Mr. Godspower Ebitemi, the organization said an intensive consultation process across every strata of the state and the Ijaw Nation in the last five going to six weeks is what prompted it to finally open up on the choice of its candidate for the guber race. The statement added that it was in the light of the above development that the organization decided to unveil its 21-Reason Policy Do...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu The new Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that his administration will offer free healthcare services to women and children in the state. Mr Matawalle, 50, who made the declaration on Wednesday shortly after taking his oath of office at the Trade Fair ground, Gusau, said that the new government would be comprehensive. “I am going to assemble an enlightened, formidable and politically experienced persons so that we take the state to better heights in the near future. “Our women and children have gone through serious hardship in the past and we will reverse this situation for the better. “The new administration will start with tackling the security challenges and everyone must carry live their lives within the provisions of the law. “No one should think they will take the law into their hands and kill, kidnap, maim, or make life uneasy for others. “We are aware that poor education, poverty, ...

Posted by Tony Okechukwu The Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State heartily congratulates his colleague members in the forum as well as the good people of their various States on the successful inauguration ceremonies held on Wednesday, May 29,2019. In a press statement from the Abuja Secretariat of the forum, the Chairman said “We are confident that the States in particular and our dear country in general will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience as you assume office”. Governor Dickson stated “We count on your good office to enhance a strong working relationship between your State and the PDP Governors’ Forum”. He prayed that God Almighty may continue to guide,  protect and bless them and their families;  grant them reigns of wisdom, good health and the focus to excel in the selfless service to their States, their great party – PDP and our dear country, Nigeria.

▪outlines the direction of his administration for the next four years Posted By Tony Okechukwu Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, re-elected Governor of Rivers State, on Wednesday, in the presence of thousands of Rivers people and other prominent Nigerians, took the oath of office to commence his second term. Also on Wednesday, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo was sworn in for a second term. Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara administered the oath of office for the Rivers State Governor and his Deputy. The swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt was a huge celebration as the arrival of Governor Wike was greeted by jubilation by the capacity crowd. After mounting the saluting dais for the ceremonial police rituals, Governor Wike drove in the ceremonial open roof Land Rover Utility Vehicle to exchange pleasantries with the jubilant crowd. In an inauguration address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declare...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has declared a state of emergency on both primary and secondary education in the state. The governor, who was sworn-in some minutes ago stated this while reading his inaugural speech at Banquet Hall of the Government House in Damaturu. The governor noted that the decision was to consolidate on the solid foundation put in place by his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam. He also promised to provide one healthcare centre in each of the 178 political wards in the state, and to provide tractors to farmers at the beginning of every rainy season across the 17 local government areas of the state. On infrastructure, he promised to complete roads inherited from the outgoing administration and construct new ones in Gujba/Ngalda, Tikau- Jajere; Dogo kuka Jajere; and Yusufari Machina, among others. The governor said he would construct modern markets in major towns  of Potiskum, Damaturu, Gashua, Nguru, Gaidam, Buni Yadi,...

*Devastation like dropped bomb - Archbishop Sentamu Posted By Tony Okechukwu No fewer than 60 communities and groups have presented evidence of oil-related devastation to the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu. The 10-man panel inaugurated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in March this year rounded off the second round of its fact-finding investigative assignment at the weekend during which it held roundtable sessions with non-governmental organisations and health experts. It also visited six ravaged communities in Southern Ijaw, Brass and Yenagoa local government areas of the state. The commission held a well-attended public evidence session on Friday during which communities gave oral evidence of devastation and neglect by oil companies operating in their areas before submitting documented reports to the panel. The traditional ruler of Agudama community, MC Kipasa, told the commission that they ...

.....blames IOCs for neglect Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Chairman of Bayelsa State Environmental Degradation Commission and Arch-Bishop of York, Dr. John Tucker Sentamu on Sunday raised the alarm over  environmental terrorism and genocide facing the state. The prominent Clergyman said that it would be an understatement for anybody to describe the magnitude of violence done to the environment due to spillages and pollution by the oil firms as degradation. A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Dr. Sentamu as having made the comment while speaking to journalists shortly after a Special Sunday Service at the Government House , Yenagoa. He lamented that the environment had been destroyed because of unchecked pollution, which culminated in the destruction of the people’s livelihood. He said that he embarked on a trip for about six hours along the waterways without seeing any bird flying because of the violence done to the enviro...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has saluted the efforts of the Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson in educational development saying he has surpassed expectations. Dr. Jonathan who gave the commendation at the launch of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund in Yenagoa, noted that the governor’s decision to deploy the tool of education to the development and emancipation of the society was the right way to go. A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the former president as saying that the initiative and the landmark achievements of the governor would outlive his eight years as it having been backed by law. Dr. Jonathan who said the efforts of the present administration was in line with his educational policy to wrest the Bayelsa child from the claws of illiteracy when he was governor in 2006, noted that Education Development Trust would drast...

By Tony Okechukwu One of the most visible contenders in the November 2019 Bayelsa Gubernatorial race, Hon. Romeo Bekeyei, on Thursday, congratulated Governor Seriake Dickson over his election as the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF). In a press statement signed by him, Bekeyei, wrote, “I congratulate our dear Governor Seriake Dickson on his appointment and elevation as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF). It is a well deserved development not only for him, but for the entire people of the Ijaw Nation, Niger Delta region, as well as our great party, PDP.”                        "In recalling his past services to the party especially in peace resolution and reconciliatory capacities, he by this appointment, has once more been compelled to embark on yet another mission to serve the Nigerian masses and enhance good governance". Continuing Bekeyei said: “I persona...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman òf the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, the Honorable Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated former Federal Lawmaker, Dr. Bello Mohammed Mutawalle, on his  return as the Governor-elect for Zamfara and the victory of other PDP candidates in the State by the Supreme Court. The Governor also congratulated the leaders of the party and its teeming supporters  in Zamfara  for their dedication, commitment and resilience which culminated in the party’s victory at the polls in Zamfara. Governor Dickson who is also Chairman òf the South South Governors Forum thanked the Judiciary for standing up to the expectations of all well meaning Nigerians as an impartial arbiter òf Justice. He said that it was rather reassuring and commendable for the judiciary to display such a high level of courage and professionalism, especially  given the unusual times. He said that the ruling by the five-me...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has raised an alarm on alleged plans by “unscrupulous and anti-democratic elements to contrive skirmishes in the coming weeks aimed at smearing his personality.” Abubakar raised the alarm in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr Paul Ibe, on Thursday in Abuja. The former Vice President said that it was being revealed the grand plot orchestrated by some agents of evil to stage-manage pockets of upset targeted at attacking his reputation. “We wish to blow the whistle as an early warning alert of the grandiose scheme being put together by some unscrupulous elements aimed at jeopardizing the reputation of Abubakar in the coming days and weeks. “By the merit of what is beginning to unfold, there are plans to create some upset across the country, whereby alleged perpetrators of such crimes will engage in phantom names dropping of Abubakar and some senior personalities in the PDP...

Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Supreme Court has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidates in the 2019 general elections in Zamfara state. The five-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the party in the state failed to conduct primaries in accordance with the party rules. In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Adamu Galinji, the apex court held that all votes cast for the APC as “wasted votes” and declared that all political parties with the second highest votes in the elections and the required spread, are elected to the various elections. The panel also awarded cost of N10m against APC in favour of the Kabiru Marafa faction of the APC and other respondents in the appeal. The justices sounded a note of warning to politicians against destroying the country’s democracy.

Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW) on Thursday hailed the election of Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). The Founder and President of the group, Aremo Oladotun Hassan, said a statement in Lagos that by the election, Fayemi had embarked on a  a mission to serve Nigerian masses and enhance good governance. Hassan said that the group was delighted at Fayemi’s election, adding that he deserved it. He said that  YCYW felicitated with Ekiti people, all Yoruba people and Nigerians at the election. Hassan said: “We owe this landmark stride to his excellency’s untainted track record of excellence, team spirit and uncommon probity. “We have a strong belief in his excellency toward widening the horizon of untapped opportunities of this highly placed office of NGF. “We have a belief that Fayemi will aim at bringing good governance, equitable distribution of resources, and ensuring optimal ...

* Demand clean-up, compensation Posted by Tony Okechukwu Oil-ravaged communities in Bayelsa State have accused the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and another regulatory body, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), of connivance with oil multinationals in the destruction of their environment. Four communities that suffered devastating oil spills - Babragbene, Lasukugbene and Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw and Mbikiba in Brass local government areas - made the accusation on Wednesday during a town hall meeting with members of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) at Oyeregbene community. The commission led by the Archbishop of York in the United Kingdom, Dr. John Sentamu, is on a fact-finding tour of oil spill and environmentally degraded communities in the state. The communities, which demanded a clean-up of their land and waterways as well as payment of compensation by the oil multinationals operating in their area, said fed...