NATIONAL VIBES

Kola Oredipe The joy that followed the announcement of the creation of Bayelsa State on October 1st, 1996, was no doubt ecstatic. The eventual creation came after years of collective struggles and hard work by the passionate founding fathers. Bayelsa, as a state no doubt was a dream come through to satisfy the yearnings of all Ijaw people, arguably the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The story of the creation of the homogenous Ijaw state remains very inspiring and emotional, which has given the people a more defining identity in the Nigerian State. The young, women and men participated actively in the long processes that led to the birth of Bayelsa State by the instrumentality of the authority of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. The efforts of the heroes and heroines of the creation will continually be acknowledged in the annals of history of Bayelsa State. Indeed, sacrifices were made by some founding fathers who made huge contributions in one way or the other in a...

By Constance Omo Ikosomi Walking through the streets of Yenagoa today, those who knew how the capital city was when Bayelsa State was created 24 years ago will not but celebrate in their hearts about the level of transformation the state has witnessed over the years. Indeed, there is a lot to take pride in.  There are however still few people who do not share this sentiment.  In some quarters, some have expressed the concern that as a state, we are not there yet. They contend that the various sectors of our state are yet to meet the expectations of the people, and the dreams of the founding fathers. Everyone, by the logic of thought, are on the same page that Bayelsa as a state has left the Egypt of underdevelopment but certainly still far away from the Promised Land of well-rounded development.    The truth is that development is a process. Nation building takes time, patience, energy, commitment and cooperation of both the leadership and the followership. This expl...

  In line with his administration's commitment to improve the healthcare delivery to the people, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Wednesday in Mubi flagged off rehabilitation and upgrading of all Secondary Health Care facilities across the state. The project will commence with construction of Out Patient Department, OPD, Maternity and Laboratory complexes as well as rehabilitation of theatre complex at Mubi General Hospital which will be completed in six months. In his address at the event, Governor Umaru Fintiri explained that the upgrade of the Mubi General Hospital has become more compelling in view of its strategic location as an International gateway. The governor added that it is the only facility providing health services for millions of the citizens in the entire northern zone of the state into the southern part of Borno state.

  Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has cancelled the annual parade and public celebration of Nigeria’s independence anniversary as the country marks sixty years of nationhood.  A statement issued in Calabar on Wednesday by Mr. Christian Ita, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, said the cancellation was as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to avoid community transmission that is often associated with large gatherings.  While regretting the development, it said the governor was more concerned about protecting the people from the pandemic than holding any public spectacle in celebration of the independence anniversary. The statement, however, urged Cross Riverians who may want to celebrate the day, to do so in their homes. “For those who may wish to celebrate the day at home, I urge them to do so observing all the COVID-19 protocols and other safety measures as announced by government,” the statement quoted the governor as sa...

  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has commended the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, for his apolitical stance during the Edo State governorship election. Governor Wike made the commendation when he led his counterparts from Edo, Governor, Godwin Obaseki,  Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Oyo, Seyi Mankinde and Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri on a thank you visit to the Oba at his palace in Benin. The governor who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council for the Edo election, stated that the visit was in fulfilment of the party's promise to visit the royal father if they win the election.  He thanked the Oba for his prayers for peaceful elections and assured him of the party's continued respect for the traditional institution. "We made a promise when we came on a courtesy visit during the flag off of the PDP campaign in Benin that by the grace of God if we win the election, we will come back again to say thank you." "O...

 No fewer than 219 traders who lost their goods to the March 2020 inferno that rocked Otukpo main market have Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 recieved incentives (Cash) as palliative to cushion the effect of the fire outbreak on them.  Recall that His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, during his visit to Otukpo moments after the fire incident, promised to assist the victims with N50 million.  Rt. Hon. George Alli, the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, disclosed earlier today Wednesday, through his Deputy, Hon. Bako Eje that Gov. Ortom has released part of his N50 million pledge to the Council to be distributed to the affected traders.  In his words: "It will interest you to know that our Governor, H. E, Samuel Ortom has made available some funds to be disbursed to those affected by the last fire outbreak at the Otukpo main market." "The funds available is meant to be shared to traders, tenants and occupiers of the affected shops who lost their goods ...

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has stressed the need for Niger Delta governors and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to work together to move the region forward.  Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, when he hosted the PANDEF delegation led by its National Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (Rtd), Governor Diri noted that over the years, individuals from other regions had exploited the division in the Niger Delta to further impoverish the people. He emphasised that time had come for Niger Deltans to speak with one voice.  In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor lauded the formation of PANDEF, which he said would help unite people of the region and foster development.  He further stated that the synergy between the governors and PANDEF would address the developmental challenges of the region.  He appealed to elders of the region to intervene in the conflict between Ijaw communities in Bayelsa and neighbouring Rive...

  - Bayelsa Govt To Shut Sub-standard Private Institutions  Sequel to the flattening of the COVID-19 pandemic curve in the state, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the reopening of all public and private schools from Monday, October 5. The directive covers public and private tertiary, secondary and primary schools across the state. The primary and secondary schools would resume for their third term.  This was disclosed on Monday by the Committee on Safe Re-Opening of Schools after a meeting with Governor Diri in Government House, Yenagoa. Speaking to journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Ayibaina Duba, said the government decided that resuming for the third term would redeem the time lost by the students as a result of the pandemic, which necessitated the closure of schools since March this year. His words: "The third term and session would terminate on December 18, 2020 and a new academic session would com...

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over governance in the country in 2023. The governor made the call on Sunday at a thanksgiving service by Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta, Chief Kingsley Esiso, in Sapele. He said the PDP would do everything possible with the support of the people of Nigeria to win the 2023 presidential election and restore good governance, including infrastructural development in the country.  Okowa stated that the party was working very hard to win more states in the country as a precursor to getting back control of the presidency which it lost in 2015. According to him, with the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, Nigerians are already convinced on the imperative of voting back PDP to power in 2023. While congratulating Esiso for his re-emergence as the Chairman of PDP in the state, the governor urged him to brace up...

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said a country whose leaders do not practice justice, fairness and equity is at risk of very slow pace of development. Senator Diri made the assertion on Sunday at a special church service in commemoration of Nigeria's 60th and Bayelsa's 24th anniversary at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa. In a press release by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor called on Nigeria's leaders to ensure justice, fairness and equitable distribution of the nation's resources and key appointments. His words: "Let me seize this opportunity to call on our leaders to note that a country cannot develop where there is no fairness, justice and equity because these are some of the things that are counting for our slow pace of development. "Anybody who finds him or herself in leadership position should practice equity, fairness and justice no matter whose ox is gored. That way the country will be developed....

  - Offers Scholarship To Late Comedian's Children Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has extolled the virtues of a past president of foremost pan-Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, Ijaw National Congress (INC), the late Prof. Kimse Okoko. Governor Diri said the departed Professor of Political Science was an elder statesman that not only live an exemplary lifestyle but also impacted positively on lives of most Bayelsans as an academician, father figure, administrator and an activist that defended the rights of  his people.  His spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor when the late Ijaw leader's family visited him in Government House, Yenagoa, as saying: “Professor Kimse Okoko's death is not only a loss to the Okoko family but also to the Gbarain Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government Area, to Bayelsa State and indeed to Nigeria. “He departed at a point we needed his wealth of experience. However, who are we to question God, particularly happening at a time w...

- Tasks INEC, Security Agencies On Fairness  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council for the October 31 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election. The council has veteran politician, Chief Diekivie Oboh, as Director-General with a former speaker of the House of Assembly and current Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson as  Deputy Director General (Administration) and Engr. Ebiye Tarabina as Deputy Director General (Operations) Governor Diri's spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him while inaugurating the council as  expressing the optimism that the PDP would retain the seat he vacated after he was sworn in as governor on February 14. He described the candidate of the party, Moses Cleopas, as eminently qualified to represent the people of the district in the Senate.  Diri commended the party faithful for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the primary election, which...