NATIONAL VIBES

  By Anselm Okolo It has been a telling story, but returning Sokoto state on the path of economic prosperity through agriculture had always been a cardinal ambition of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from the first day of his assumption of office as governor of the state. “You will all agree with me that the mainstay of our state’s economic activities lies in agriculture” he told a team of journalists on a fact finding tour of the state recently. “It is the business of every town and every home” he noted while pointing out that “Allah SWT has bestowed us with mass arable land for variety of crops for both domestic use and commercial purposes”. What he did not envisage, he told the team, was that to achieve his ambition he would have to virtually re-start from point zero. First, he had to deal with the issue of poor data on the sector and the capacities and inadequacies of key players engaged in real agriculture. A Technical Committee on a research driven Framework for Agricultural D...

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated the newly inaugurated Bayelsa State Molecular Laboratory, Research and Diagnostic Centre as a COVID testing laboratory in the country. The facility, which was inaugurated by Governor Douye Diri on Tuesday, brought the number of NCDC accredited laboratories in the country to 66 in 34 states. The NCDC in a letter signed by the Laboratory Network Advisor, Celestina Obiekea, and addressed to the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, stated that the laboratory had fulfilled the necessary requirements for a molecular laboratory to test for COVID as well as met all successful validations and optimisations. It further explained that the state will be responsible for procurement of consumables, equipment and other materials while the NCDC will support it with reagents and tests kits. "This is to officially inform you that having fulfilled the necessary requirements for a molecular laboratory to test for COVID and all successful v...

  …Intended Federal Government Control of Water Resources is Going Too Far. Call to Resist the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 By Frank Tietie The requirement for licensing is the most legally oppressive manner to take over the natural resources of a people. The preamble of the 1969 Petroleum Act vests the control of the exploration of petroleum and ownership of all on-shore and off-shore petroleum resources in the Federal Government of Nigeria The sad story of the impact of the above provision is clear for the whole world to see. We have witnessed over 50 years of mindless exploitation and degradation of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria by International Oil Companies (IOCs) who, in cahoots with the Nigerian Federal authorities have continued from independence to date, to mine and sell crude oil to fund the most profligate and irresponsible management of petroleum wealth so far, in the history of the whole world, Crude oil, like water is a blessing but it became a curse to Nig...

-Bayelsa To Regulate Dredging Activitie s Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, hassigned three bills into law as part of his administration's effort to promote good governance and enhance revenue generation. Signed into law are the Bayelsa State Audit Bill, Information Technology Development Agency Bill and the Regulation of Sand Dealing, Dredging and Reclamation Operations Bill 2020. Governor Diri, in a press release by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, condemned the activities of sand dredgers in the state for carrying out their operations without a recourse to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  He however lauded members of the House of Assembly for their foresight in sponsoring the bill to regulate dredging, saying it would help protect the environment from further degradation. According to the governor, the activities of sand dredgers had become worrisome as they were partly responsible for most of the natural disasters in some communities. His w...

  - Lists Agric, SMEs As Priority Areas The newly constituted Bayelsa State cabinet on Wednesday held its  maiden meeting a day after the commissioners were sworn in. Governor Douye Diri presided at the meeting during which it stated that the administration would focus on developing agriculture and small and medium scale enterprises. To actualise this, Governor Diri directed the Commissioners in charge of Agriculture and that of Trade, Industry and Investment to brace up for the tasks ahead. Addressing journalists after the meeting held at the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Ayibaina Duba, said the governor emphasised the need to change the value system and orientation of Bayelsans for them to be more productive and self-reliant. Mr. Duba said the governor challenged the new cabinet members to realise that they had enormous responsibilities that require their creativity and ingenuity to deliver the prosperit...

* Bayelsa Gov Swears In 25 Cabinet Members  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has told new commissioners in the state that service to the people was the essence of their appointment. The governor also charged them to work towards actualising the dreams of the state's founding fathers.  Speaking during the swearing in of 24 new commissioners and a Special Adviser on Political Affairs at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri said they were assuming office at a difficult moment occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that they would need to put in their best to meet the yearnings of people of the state.  His Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted the governor as  saying the commissioners were carefully selected in recognition of their capabilities. He expressed confidence that they will contribute meaningfully to development of the state.  He tasked them to be innovative and p...

*Restates Call For Restructuring  Bayelsa State Government, on Tuesday, described as incorrect Federal Government's categorisation of the state as insolvent due to its low internally generated revenue profile. It also restated its call for restructuring of the country to address the current lopsided federalism that denied states, particularly Bayelsa, the due revenue from the resources in their land and region. Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Elias Mbam, while receiving receiving the Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) from the Editor-in-Chief of the Economic Confidential in his office in Abuja on Monday, stated that Bayelsa, Borno, Katsina, Kebbi and Taraba states had become insolvent because of their “extremely poor IGR" performance in 2019. Faulting the report and the federal government's position, the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on  Treasury, Accounts and Revenue, Mr. Timipre Seipulou, said the sta...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed all civil servants from grade levels 1-12 to resume work from Tuesday, September 1. Senator Diri gave the directive on Monday during a meeting with the state's COVID-19 Taskforce in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor had on March 26 asked those category of workers to stay at home in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic in the state. In a press release signed by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the COVID-19 restrictions were being reviewed following the flattening of the pandemic curve in the state. He therefore directed the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama  to ensure that workers abide by all COVID-19 safety guidelines when they resume. On the resumption of schools, the governor noted that while students in terminal classes were writting their examinations, he directed that all primary six pupils to also resume academic activities as the government was evaluat...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has commiserated with the family of Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, a former Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, over the death of his wife, Mrs. Rosemarie Eneotse Egba, at the age of 43.  Governor Diri in a condolence message to the family on Sunday said Mrs Egba-Ologo's death at a young age was shocking and a great loss to the entire family. “I share in your grief and that of your family. The loss of a dear one comes with some pain. It is even more so when the person is quite young.  "However, only God understands why this is so. Your family must take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life." While praying for the repose of her soul, the governor urged the family to be comforted by her impactful life and that she had gone to a better place of rest.

  STATEMENT ON THE BAYELSA ELECTION TRIBUNAL RULING The Commission   is   a   law-abiding   institution   and   will continue   to   obey   and   respect   court   orders.    By   section 143(1) of the Electoral Act, if the Tribunal determines that a candidate returned as elected was not validly elected, then if notice of appeal is filed within 21 days from the date of the decision, the candidate returned as elected shall   notwithstanding   the contrary   decision   remain   in office pending the determination of the appeal. The Commission is not obligated to give effect to the said judgement  of   the   Tribunal   till   the  parties   exhaust  their right of appeal as provided in the law.  Moreover, there are germane consti...

  Governor Asks Assembly To Go Ahead With Commissioner-nominees Screening Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Monday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Douye Diri following the controversial ruling of the state's election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja. The lawmakers declared total support for the governor and his appeal of the tribunal judgement.  The Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that the delegation was led by the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, and accompanied by the House of Representatives member representing the Ogbia Federal Constituency, Fred Obua.  Ingobere said the House suspended its plenary when they received the news of the judgement.  He emphasised that as a God-fearing leader, the assembly would stand solidly behind the governor because he had proved that he had the interest of Bayelsans at heart. “Your Excellency, the House is solidly behind you and we believe strongly that it is the Supreme Court ...

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will appeal Monday's ruling of the state election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja and has consequently instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.  Governor Diri, who spoke shortly after the tribunal ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly excluded the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) governorship candidate from the November 16, 2019 election, said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end. His words: "We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice.  "This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court." The governor urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.

  “You cannot let praise or criticism get to you. It is a weakness to get caught up in either one” - John Wooden “Don’t let compliments get to your head and don’t let criticism get to your heart” - Lysa Terkeurst “If you are helping someone and expecting something in return, you are doing business not kindness” -  Anonymous I am not sure who Emmanuel Odigie is, whether a sponsored writer or not, it really does not matter. Only the truth matters at this time in our history, when the fight over the soul of Edo state from the hands of self-seeking, regressive and dark elements is one that must be won. Edo cannot return to agberos and agbero enablers. Since Emmanuel Odigie is awash with knowledge about Osaro Onaiwu and his relationship with Capt. Hosa Okunbo, I will try in this right of reply to remind him of some things he may have left out rather conveniently as I know both men and will objectively state the issues as I see them without writing like a performer seeking to please...

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has stressed the need for Bayelsans regardless of party differences to put the interest of the state ahead of other considerations.  Governor Diri, who stated this when he received members of the Bayelsa Caucus of the House of Representatives in his office in Yenagoa, said the task of moving the state forward required all hands on deck. His Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as expressing appreciation to members of the caucus for putting party differences aside for the sake of development of the state.  He emphasised the need for Bayelsans to promote love and reconciliation while creating sustainable opportunities for youths and women rather than using them as tools for electoral violence.  The Bayelsa helmsman reaffirmed the determination of his administration to fulfill his campaign promises and expressed optimism that with the support of the Reps caucus, Bayelsa would be the envy of o...

  The Labour Party has berated the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, for backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their attempt to unleash mayhem on the people of Edo State and dubiously take over governance of the state. In a statement, the party condemned in strong terms, comments by leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supporting the actions of the APC and three members of the Edo State House of Assembly, who attempted to illegally take over the House and create a parallel Assembly. The statement was jointly signed by the state party chairman, Comrade Oghalol K.S.E; National Secretary, Barrister Abure Julius and the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, Ph.D, JP. According to them, “Labour Party is utterly disappointed with the purported letter of the Minister of Justice directly or tacitly supporting the invasion of Edo State House of Assembly by the factional elected members of the Assembly. The letter of the minist...

  Residents of Udaba in Etsako Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State have thrown their weight behind the reelection bid of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, vowing to turn out en masse with their Permanent Voter's Cards (PVC) come September 19, 2020 to ensure the governor’s victory at the poll. The elated crowd of supporters, who received the governor during his reelection campaign in the LGA, said the governor has performed excellently across all sectors of the state and deserves reelection to consolidate on achievements recorded in his first term. Speaking on behalf of the residents, Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Damian Lawani, thanked the people of Udaba Ward 8 for coming out en masse to receive the governor despite blackmail by the opposition. Lawani said: “The opposition party told my people that Obaseki gave me money to construct roads in the area but I ate the money. This turnout shows that my people didn't believe them. ...

  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said it has suspended its electioneering campaign in Uzairue and Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, rerouting the train to Owan East Local Government Area. State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who spoke on behalf of the party’s Campaign Council, said: “We have received information that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have decided to confront and attack  members and supporters of the PDP in Etsako West Local Government Area, where former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole hails from. “We have taken this decision, not because we are timid as a party, but because we do not want to expose thousands of our members and supporters in that part of the state to harm. Our candidate and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is a peace-loving leader who places huge premium on the safety of citizens. We had planned going to Uzairue and Auchi but the APC has just released its campai...

  Convener of the group, Esan Agenda, Mr Akhere Obozele, has hailed the humiliation of the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and the sacked national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, by traditional rulers of Esan extraction and their subjects on Monday. According to Obozele, “The public humiliation of the APC gubernatorial candidate and the former national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole is worth commending. Our traditional rulers reinforced the enormous respect we have always had for them, with that singular action.” He queried: “What were they expecting from Esan people after marginalising the region for eight years? Were they expecting our leaders to give them a royal reception after what they did to Esan people?  The Oshiomhole-led APC government publicly humiliated our political and traditional leaders and acted like someone that was on a mission to annihilate the Esan race. ...

L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor and running mate, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming gubernatorial election and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the Egiegbai of Ekperi Kingdom, His Royal Highness Deke Kanoba, during the governor’s courtesy visit to the traditional ruler in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, to seek his support. The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has declared his administration's commitment to ensure peace in the state despite the politically charged atmosphere. Obaseki gave the assurance when he visited the Egiegbai II of Ekperi Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Deke Kanoba, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, to seek for the monarch's prayers and support ahead of the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial election. According to him, “I will continue to do everything within my powers even in the face of provocation from opposition to ensure that our ...