NATIONAL VIBES

.....Congratulates Gov. Diri's 100 days in Office, Rallies Continental Support for Dr.Adesina, President Africa Development Bank (AFDB).                              The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) celebrates the Economic Community for West Africa States (ECOWAS) on its 45th Anniversary. In a statement issued from the Secretariate, the AAASME Secretary-General, Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri said Ecowas is worthy of celebration having attained alot of successes since it was established in 1975 and is poised to achieve the vision of the Founding Fathers. Mr.Eradiri stated that the Ecowas SME Strategy, abolition of Visas among Ecowas member States, Promoting Regional Integration and Fostering economic/Political Cooperation,Maintaining Peace & Stability in the region, Monetary Cooperation programs alongside several other initiatives are the hallmarks of the Regional Econ...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, was 100 days in office on May 24, having been sworn in on February 14, 2020 a day after the Supreme Court declared him governor. Diri’s Acting Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in this interview, highlights some of the governor’s achievements within the period. … Your principal, Senator Douye Diri, just clocked 100 days as governor of Bayelsa State. What are some of the highpoint of his first 100 days in office? One hundred days in office is a very short time. It is just three months and ten days. It is not a period you would expect that new projects or serious infrastructure would be initiated and completed. It is generally a foundational period for the new government to begin to showcase some of its policy initiatives and direction. However, the Governor Douye Diri administration came in at a time that COVID-19 had just started ravaging our country. Nigeria had the index case on February 27 just two weeks after the Senator...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has felicitated with Muslims in the state on the end of their Ramadan fast and the celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri. Governor Diri in his goodwill message issued by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, urged Muslims in the state to continue to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria and Bayelsa. He also solicited their continuous prayers for the COVID-19 pandemic to be defeated. Governor Diri, while noting that the scourge had affected the Sallah celebration, encouraged Muslims not to despair but to keep hope alive despite the challenges that the pandemic had brought. He commended the adherents of the Islamic faith for abiding by and obeying the directives and measures relating to COVID-19 imposed by the state government. “It is on record that we have had no issues with Muslims concerning the measures and directives imposed by the State Government since the fight against COVID-19 started in the state. This is ve...

…Charges States, Private Sector to Brace up For Solutions. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has upbraided the Buhari Presidency for seeking to transfer the brunt of its failures to articulate and coordinate an effective national response on COVID-19 pandemic on state governors, describing such as unpardonable manifestation of leadership failure. The party said Buhari Presidency's decision to run to state governors for solution after it had badly muddled up the process, leading to confusion across the country and consequential spike in infection and fatality rates, is rather coming very late in the day. Nigerians can recall how our party and other well-meaning Nigerians repeatedly counseled the Buhari Presidency to involve state governors, the private sector and critical stakeholders for an effective multisectoral and multilayered approach, to no avail. The Buhari Presidency rebuffed wise counsels and settled for a parochial response marred by corruption, nepotism,...

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has approved the reopening of churches and mosques for religious worships two months after they were shut following the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 pandemic. The government however directed that worships in the churches and mosques must be staggered in such a manner that would allow room for social distancing. This was part of the decisions reached Thursday in Makurdi at the end of a joint meeting of the Benue State Executive Council and the State Action Committee on COVID-19 presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom. The government also ordered the partial reopening of markets and noted that the issue of school resumption would be reviewed in the next 14 days. It also directed workers on grade levels one to 12 who were asked to stay at home about two months ago to resume work on June 1, 2020 but advised that they always wear face masks and maintain social distancing as they go to work. Reeling out decisions reached at the end of the meet...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, signed into law three bills passed by the state House of Assembly. They are the Public Procurement Amendment Bill, Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Bill and the Debt Management Office Bill. With the signing of the bills into law, Bayelsa is now among states in Nigeria that adhere to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). While signing the bills, the governor was quoted in a statement by his Acting Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, that the laws would check the excesses of those saddled with the responsibility of procurement in government’s Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs). His words: “The Public Procurement Law at the federal level came into existence in 2007. As a member of the Public Procurement Committee in the House of Representatives, there was so much that was exposed by that committee. “Before the Public Procurement Law was enacted, the United Nations observed that for every on...

. ..Inaugurates Advisory Bodies Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, emphasised that building mutual trust between the Nigeria Police and the general public is fundamental to effective community policing in the country. Senator Diri expressed this view during the inauguration of the State Community Policing Advisory Committee and Community Policing Committee in Yenagoa, the state capital. His Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as commending the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for introducing the community policing initiative, describing it as critical in engendering peace, stability and development across communities. His words: "The foundation of trust will allow the police form closer relationship with the community that will produce solid achievements. Without trust between the police, the citizens and communities, effective policing is practically impossible." Senator Diri, who stressed th...

-Gov. Diri Extends Presidential Directives For Two Weeks -Jonathan, Dickson, Ooni Of Ife Donate To State A medical doctor has tested positive for COVID-19 in Bayelsa State, bringing the number of active cases in the state to two. Governor Douye Diri announced the new confirmed case on Tuesday during a meeting of the COVID-19 Taskforce, which he chairs, at the Government House, Yenagoa. A press release by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the doctor, who is a staff of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, was earlier admitted at a private hospital before he tested positive for the virus. His travel history showed that he came into the state from a trip to neighbouring Delta State. The hospital has been shut down for decontamination to commence. The governor, who noted that five positive COVID-19 patients had been successfully treated and discharged, cautioned frontline medical personnel handling active cases to adh...

Stakeholders from Agbere in Ward One of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have called on the former governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, to contest for the vacant Bayelsa West Senate seat in the National Assembly. Rising from a meeting held in the home of a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, the Agbere indigenes said the former governor's track record of outstanding service to the Ijaw nation and Bayelsa in particular placed him in good stead to represent the zone in the Senate. The meeting, which was presided over by Caucus Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sagbama Local Government Area, High Chief Francis Dokpola, resolved to prevail on Hon. Dickson to contest in the election. The stakeholders noted that as "a founding member of the Izon National Congress (INC), former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, former House of Reps member and immediate past governor of Bayelsa State for eight years, Hon. ...

My family and I felicitate with one of our foremost and highly reputable political leaders, Chief Francis Doupkola, who turned 76 of Monday Chief Doukpola has rendered years of meritorious service to our people humanity and God almighty over the years. He has been an exemplary leader and father and indeed a worthy role model to me and other younger politicians of our generation. His services to our people in Bayelsa, and Rivers and the entire Ijaw nation and his exploits as one of our foremost bankers are worthy of celebration. Throughout my eight years of service, as Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Doukpola was a constant pillar of support, guidance and quality advice and that is a role he has continued to play. Chief Doukpola is a man that is highly reputed for integrity, probity and honour which made it easy for me to readily assign very sensitive responsibilities to him. On behalf of my family and I wish him a happy birthday and many more happy returns. I also thank ...

- Gov. Diri Inaugurates Bayelsa PDP Exco Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has explained why he has reduced his political activities since he quit power in 2015, saying his foundation was responsible.  The former leader gave the explanation on Sunday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, when Governor Douye Diri inaugurated the recently elected state executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dr. Jonathan, who said he was actually moving away from being "an effective partisan politician," however noted that his absence from political activities was being misunderstood. His words: "Don't be discouraged if you do not see me in most party activities in the state. I decided to appear in this event so that I will not be misunderstood. "I'm shifting away from being an effective partisan politician because of my foundation. People who want to partner with me felt that if you are a partisan leader in the country, they will eat wi...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths have told the Niger Delta people to hold their federal lawmakers responsible for the underdevelopment in the region. The PDP youths, under the aegis of South South Youth Vanguard, said that most of the projects that were supposed to bring development to the region through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have been misappropriated by the lawmakers. The PDP South South Youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, specifically noted that because of this misappropriation, two federal lawmakers, a Senator and House of Representatives member from Delta state are presently facing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). While it was noted that Hon. Nicholas Mutu, has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1999 and Chairman of NDDC, but has just been replaced, Senator Peter Uwanboshi on his part, is still the present Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC. The Youth Vanguard s...

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Thursday condoled with family òf the Director General òf the Department òf State Services, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, over the death of his mother, Hajia Karimatu Abubakar. The former Governor said that Hajia Karimatu lived a life worthy of celebration He noted that very few mothers and indeed communities would be privileged to produce a high valued personality of immense importance to national development of the status of the Director General òf the DSS. He said that while it is a fact that noMother is always old enough to die, the DG and the family should take solace in the fact that his mother’s death is a transition to eternal glory in accordance with the will of Allah. “My family and I commiserate with the Kano State Government and the Bichi family on the death of Hajia Karimatu Abubakar, mother of the DG SSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi . “While one would wish a mother to live for ever, Zif possible, w...

The immediate past Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has condoled with the former Governor òf Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff over the death of his father, Modu Sherif. The former Governor also condoled with the State Governor, Government the Shehu and people of Borno on the unfortunate death of the Galadima of the Borno emirate. He also commiserated with Sheriff on the death of some of his security aides while making preparations for the burial of his father. The former Governor said that the Senior Modu Sheriff lived a full, rewarding and exemplary life which was indeed a blessing to many. He urged the former Governor to take solace in the fact that his father has gone to be with Allah and prayed to God to give the family and the other families the fortitude to bear the painful, unexpected loss. “My family and I commiserate with the Government of Borno State, the family of Modu Sherif, my father, His Highness, the Shehu and people of Borno o...

His Excellency, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, former Governor òf Bayelsa State, has condoled with the family of the Chief òf Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai over the death of his mother, Kakah Hajja. Governor Dickson urged the COAS to be condoled by the fact that his mother lived her full life and has gone to be with the Allah. He said that a mother who contributed somebody of the status of the COAS made unquantifiable contributions to security and national development. He described her death as a transition to eternal glory. The former Governor who prayed for the repose òf the soul of the deceased prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. “My family and I commiserate with the Government of Borno State, the Buratai family, my father, His Highness, the Shehu of Borno and the people over the death of Mama Hajja Kakah. “It is loudly clear that she lived her full life to the glory of Allah and has gone to be with her maker. May God gi...

*TASKS LG PDP CHAIRMEN ON UNITY, RECONCILIATION Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has restated his administration’s commitment to ensure commercial flight operations begin at the state airport in no distant time. Senator Diri gave the assurance during the courtesy visit of the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Yenagoa, Air vice Marshal Ibukun Omotayo and his team to Government House, Yenagoa. The governor commended the command for making good use of the airport for its operations and promised to see what else can be added to facilitate its licensing and commencement of flight operations into the state capital. In a press release by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor stressed the importance of security to his administration coupled with the fact that the state is deltaic and riverine. He promised to work with the command to ensure its operations fully commence in the state. His words: “You talked about a regim...

The Wada/Aro Campaign Council under the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kogi State November 2019 governorship election is appealing to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to, as a matter of urgency, intervene by directing the governor of Kogi State to approve the collection of blood samples from suspects and send same to Abuja or any testing centre nearer to Lokoja, the State capital. In a statement sign by the campaign spokesperson, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, the Council is also calling on the State Government to open and equip Testing Centres across the entire State to facilitate easy access. This has become necessary as the Wada/Aro Campaign Council who is concerned about the well-being of Kogites can no longer fold her arms and watch the good people of Kogi State drift into the current situation affecting Kano State. Speaking on behalf of the Council, her leader, Comrade Austin Okai said  it is on rec...

Governors Mandate Network (GMN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for extending the tenure of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) till 31st December, 2020. The Network equally commended governors of the Niger Delta states who had earlier in the year struck an agreement with the President to ensure that a comprehensive forensic audit of the commission is done, the task which has now necessitated the extension of the committee's tenure. The Chairman of the Network, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, in a statement of Tuesday further noted that the arduous task of undertaking a credible forensic audit of the projects and programmes of NDDC in the past few years could not have been concluded in such a short duration. While thanking the nine governors of the Niger Delta states for showing increased interest in the well-being of the NDDC, Onaiwu also appreciated the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for cooperating with the governors for the d...

As the world unites in the fight against CoronaVirus also known as #Covid19, Leaders of various countries have reached out to citizens to show support. In Nigeria, the government both at Federal and state level have been reaching out to Nigerians to provide relief in one way or another. Politicians, Celebrities, Businessmen, highly influential and indeed other well meaning Nigerians haven't been left out in the show of love and Oneness. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is one amongst such people who have shown a great deal of concern especially for Imolites. The Senator who represented Imo East in the 8th Senate has again today in addition to the huge donation he made to the government of Imo state two (2) weeks ago, in his support in this war against Coronavirus and in support of the outreach to Imolites in these trying times, donated food items and other forms of relief Materials not only to Amaimo which is his hometown but has ensured that all materials gets to the 29 autonomou...