NATIONAL VIBES

...Govt Prioritises Road Infrastructure Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has signed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N329.29 billion into law. Governor Diri had on November 26 presented an estimate of N290.295 billion tagged "Budget of Growth" to the state House of Assembly. While assenting to the bill on Wednesday evening in Government House, Yenagoa, the governor said the increase in the figure would address areas of deficit identified in the appropriation bill as well as assist in the infrastructure development of the state. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as noting that the increase in the 2021 budget was intended to tackle the completion of the three senatorial roads, the AIT/Igbogene ring road project and construction of the Gloryland Drive in addition to rehabilitation of the internal roads within the Yenagoa metropolis. His words: "We had a challenging year 2020. All what we anticipated did not go as plann...

  Senator David Mark, former Senate President, has flagged off the construction of N7.5b rural roads in Bauchi State. Flagging off the project in Warji Local Government of the state on Tuesday, David Mark said the projects show that  Governor Bala is bent to replicate the same legacy he left when he served as FCT Minister. He recalled that during his time as President of the Senate, Governor Bala always voiced constructive and nationalist contributions in the Senate, saying: "I am not surprised that he had achieved so much feats within a limited time in his first year in office." “I did not hesitate to accept the invitation for the flag-off of road construction projects in Bauchi State, because I know who was inviting me." "As most of you will understand, you have only one boss, but when I was the President of the Senate, the senators were my bosses because if you don’t allow them to be your bosses, they will remove you in no time." "They did not remove me...

  ... PREACHES AGAINST CULTISM Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on Sunday condemned the recent attempt to destroy the life of Mr Paul Eris, popularly known as OgunBoss, which culminated in the burning down of the former militant's Peremabiri residence. Speaking with newsmen shortly after worshipping at St Paul's Catholic Church, Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area, Senator Ewhrudjakpo expressed displeasure over the Christmas Day morning attack, stressing the need for people to respect the sanctity of life. According to the Deputy Governor, the Senator Douye Diri-led government does not believe in violence and is therefore poise to work with security agencies at all times to deal decisively with those who promote terror and insecurity. His words, "I want to use this opportunity to condemn in strong terms the attack on the house of Mr Paul Eris, popularly known as OgunBoss. In this government, we do not believe in violence and will continue to d...

Each time I receive a rare favour, my fear is not whether I've received enough, but whether I can show enough gratitude. Can ordinary "Thank You" be enough? I often ask myself. I have again found myself in the same situation now. Big and resounding as the phrase "Thank You" may appear, it is appearing weak in expressing my appreciation to everyone who rejoiced with me on my Birthday. My dear leaders, brothers and sisters, please accept the little appreciation I can bring forth from my grateful heart. You did not hold back. You gave me your all in terms of felicitations. I will be making a serious slip if I should start naming names.   Some through calls, some via SMS and other social media handles. Some even paid personal visits. I feel very loved and very honoured. I would maintain that while thanks are the highest form of thought, gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. I am sincerely grateful and I will not take your felicitations for granted. Love always. ...

  The PDP Governors' Forum under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, (Governor of Sokoto State) has congratulated Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, on his 53rd birthday anniversary. In a press statement issued on behalf of the forum and signed by Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, the Director-General, the Governors said: "Your emergence as the 28th Governor of Oyo State signalled a new wave of leadership for the people of the state and your stellar performance since your inauguration has been a basket of achievements in service on many spheres of life for the state. You have been a shining example in leadership that the nation needs at this trying times.  "So on this anniversary of your birthday, we are proud and glad to felicitate with you. Further the statement said "Reaching deep into your experiences as a manufacturer and philanthropist, you have so far recorded several memorable legacies in the minds of your people as you remain focused on yo...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged citizens and residents of the state not to be discouraged by the effects of COVID-19 and the attendant economic challenges. Governor Diri, in his Christmas message to people of the state, expressed the optimism that despite the challenges of the moment, there are better days ahead. He urged the people to reflect on the message of the birth of Jesus, which is about love, peace and hope. "For a world in need of healing and encouragement, the entire Christmas story is a harbinger of love, peace and hope. "Bayelsa State, like much of the world, is also facing demanding times. But God has kept us through this difficult situation and season. More than at any other time, as we commemorate the birth of Jesus, we ought to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the fact that there is still hope of good tidings ahead of us as a people and as a state." The governor noted that despite the disruption and the hardship during the ...

  ...Directs Strict  COVID-19 Guidelines Complianc e Bayelsa State Government has approved the commencement and construction of the 22-kilometer Igbogene-AIT Outer Ring Road project in Yenagoa from January 2021.  The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Ayibaina Duba, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the state Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.  Throwing more light on the council decision, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the construction of the road, which was initiated by the immediate past administration in 2013, is part of the present administration’s desire to improve the state's infrastructure.  Mr. Teibowei said the project, which would re-commence from the second week of January next year, would cost the state over N22 billion with a completion duration of 24 months.  He also spoke on the ongoing Edepie-Etegwe roundabout expansion project, stating that ph...

   Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to seven-year-old Eluan Turnah and 16-year-old Stella Ezekiel as part of his administration's effort at encouraging budding talents toward achieving excellence. Senator Diri announced the scholarship awards in recognition of the girls' sterling performance during the 2020 Carol of Nine Lessons at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday night. Stella, a student of St. Jude's Model Girls College, Amarata, stunned the audience when she gave a chronological order of Biblical events before the birth of Jesus Christ (BC) and after his death (AD) as well as the order of past governors and acting governors of the  state from the time of its creation in 1996. Also, Eluan, the little daughter of Alabh George Turnah, the governor's Executive Assistant on Public Affairs and Orientation, gave a sterling solo performance of a song. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alab...

  Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri  has today, Wednesday, presented first class staff of office to his Royal Majesty, Hama Bachama, Dr. Daniel Shaga Ismaila, (Kpawo Nemwe, Gilongo Diya). The new monarch who is the 29th Hama Bachama was appointed on July 27, 2020 a week after the death of the immediate past Hama Bachama, Honest Irmiya Stephen, (Kwire Mana Kpafrato II). Fintiri commended the kingmakers for ensuring a hitch free selection process and for selecting one of the best nominees. He also thanked the four contestants for the throne who remained steadfast despite not realising their ambitions to rule the kingdom. The governor urged them to sustain the tempo for the overall development of the kingdom. He pledged his government’s support and commitment towards building eternal peace through the enthronement of justice and rule of law. In his speech, the Hama Bachama who thanked the governor for his support and spiritedness towards the Bachama nation, pledged to work hand-in-ha...

  ...As Gov. Makinde says it'll be difficult for any other party to take Rivers from PDP Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, says members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors' Forum cannot only acknowledge the worsening insecurity across the country and shy away from accepting the fact that their party, the APC, has failed Nigerians. This is because, according to Governor Wike, the APC Federal Government promised to offer better governance that will ensure safety of life and property of all Nigerians. Governor Wike made the assertion at the inauguration ceremony organised to open for public use two strategic roads; Woji Road, and Obagi Road, in GRA Phase 2 in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, and was performed by the Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde. Governor Wike said virtually everything has collapsed in the country under the APC-led Federal Government and if Nigeria is truly a democratic country, nobody will be a proud member of APC anymore.  ...

  ...Assures Foreigners Of Safety Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, received 10 expatriates that were rescued by security agencies in the state from the den of kidnappers.  The foreign sailors were kidnapped on November 25 from their vessel along the Pennington River in neighbouring Delta State and brought into Bayelsa.  The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement listed the victims as three Lebanese, four Indians, two Egyptians and one Cameronian.  An official of the Department of State Services (DSS), who presented the freed vessel workers to Governor Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa, said it took the concerted effort of security personnel in both Bayelsa and Delta states to rescue them.  While addressing the media, Senator Diri called on those responsible for such criminal acts to turn a new leaf, stating that kidnapping was not a business.  The governor, who thanked God for the safe return of t...