NATIONAL VIBES

  . ..Avwenagha Picks Scrabble Tourney Star Prize Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has emphasised the place of sports in state and national development, saying it is a veritable tool if properly utilised. Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he spoke during the closing ceremonies of the first Governor Diri National Scrabble Championship in Yenagoa on Sunday evening. About 300 scrabble players across the country participated in the championship with Oshevire Avwenagha of Delta State emerging winner of the Masters category. The three-day tournament featured five categories, including Masters, Intermediate, Opens, Veterans and Students. Governor Diri, who congratulated the participants for a successful tournament, noted that the state had a lot of landmark contribution to national development through sports. This, he said, included areas the state had comparative advantage such as wrestling, boxing and swimming. Governor Diri noted that scrabble does not onl

 The Rivers State Government says efforts to remake and give Nigeria a better constitution can only be possible if the exercise is approached and carried out with  a sincerity of purpose and commitment  to correct the fundamental challenges that has caused deep crack s to the foundation of our country. Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this during the Opening Ceremony of the Zonal Public Hearing organized by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, South- South, comprising Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Thursday 27th May 2021. Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said “it is only the blind that may not see that Nigeria is headed for a dangerous precipice, unless something urgent and drastic is done to correct the identified flaws in both our constitution and the nature of  the federal system  that has been foisted on this country for so long”. According to

 The stage is set for the first-ever Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship, which holds this weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Almost 400 participants from across Nigeria and Europe, including former world champion, Wellington Jighere as well as no fewer than four former African champions have booked their participation for the scrabble showpiece.  The three-day championship is sanctioned by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) with some of its officials already in the state to ensure a hitch-free competition.  Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BYSA), Mr. Daniel Alabrah, who confirmed this to journalists in Yenagoa, said the scrabble community in the state was upbeat and that preparations were in the final stages. Alabrah, who is also the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, said the interest from secondary schools in the state was quite encouraging and that many schools have equally registered their students. Alabrah however

 Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has felicitated with Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, wife of the State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as she celebrates her birthday on Monday, 24th May 2021.   In a goodwill message from the Government House in Port Harcourt Dr. Banigo, described Hon. Justice Wike as an erudite and compassionate Judge who has continued to be an exponent of positive behavioural change in the lives of youths across the State, with her “Riv-Ethics” programme on radio.   According to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Justice Wike  is not only an epitome of beauty and Grace  but  a devoted Mother of the State  whose contribution to the success story of the Governor Wike led Administration is beyond measure.   Dr. Banigo prayed the Almighty God to continue to bless, guide, protect and keep the Wife of the Governor in good health.  

  ...Warns Against Secret GMoUs Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has condemned the attack on the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, by youths of the kingdom. King Diete-Spiff was the first Military Governor of the old Rivers State and current chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council. Governor Diri expressed his displeasure on Monday during a meeting with leaders of Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area to resolve misunderstandings in the area. In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor acknowledged the right of people to embark on peaceful protests but frowned at the recourse to the misguided attack on the monarch. He warned the youths to shun violence, adding that government would not condone further attack on the revered king under any pretext. Governor Diri also urged Bayelsans to explore other means of resolving grievances instead of the penchant to embark on protest at the slightest disagreement

  A Response to_’Bwacha: unmasking the traitor"_*  By Sambo Lezuya It may not be proper for hirelings to sit and struggle to dissect an issue or person they know little or nothing about, even when you must write an opinion being coerced to do same. Many people struggle to piece words together due to the fact that they need to write to satisfy the selfish few who may want to be heard even when it is not absolutely necessary to string words to satisfy the man who pays the pipe. With dismay and distress, one reads tales with sensational headlines tainted so much with headlines that look more or less blackmailing This could be the case against the several writeups laced with innuendos and high-flown diatribe against the person of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha a serving member of the National Assembly representing the good people Wukari, Taraba state on the front page of the newspaper published on Friday May 21, 2021 and continue inside. Interestingly the hirelings failed dispassionately in

 The Rivers State Government says it would continue to support the Nigeria Police Force to enable the Police achieve all set goals and mission for the protection of people leaving and doing business in Rivers State legitimately. Governor Wike stated this during the Flag Off, of Operation Restore Peace in the South- South Zone, by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, at the Sharks Sports Stadium on Wednesday, 19th May, 2021. Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said Rivers State is peaceful which he attributed to his Administration’s zero tolerance for violence and crime. “We believe that a people can only progress in an atmosphere of peace and security, where people can go about their legitimate business peacefully, without any harassment so we as a government and as a people will continue to believe in the sovereignty of this nation Nigeria”. The State Chief Executive who expressed gratitude to the Acting Inspector General of Po

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the Ijaw nation would continue to agitate for the realisation of the ideals of equity, justice and freedom that the late Major Jasper Adaka Boro fought and died for. Governor Diri stated this on Sunday during the 2021 Boro Day celebration at Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. The governor also re-emphasised  the need for the Federal Government to restructure the country so the Niger Delta can manage its resources, develop at its own pace and pay taxes to the centre. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Diri acknowledged that some of the issues the late Niger Delta hero agitated for have been achieved but that a lot still needed to be achieved. His words: "Clearly, Isaac Boro has done so much to awaken our consciousness, awakened all that was within us as a people, as Ijaws, to demand what rightly belongs to us. Resource control, state creation and today, at least we have one homoge

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has revealed how the virtue of love towards all practised by his mother, late Mrs. Rose Diri, shaped his political philosophy of seeing nobody as his enemy.  Senator Diri disclosed this on Saturday at Ayamasa, his maternal hometown in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, during the eighth-year wreath-laying ceremony in honour of his mom.  Madam Diri was born on May 15, 1939 and died on her birthday 74 years later on May 15, 2013. The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said his late mother was the perfect examplar of the woman and wife captured in Proverbs 31 of the Holy Bible. He described his mother as a woman that accommodated everyone that came across her while alive and never had any enemy. According to him, her lifestyle of living without enmity and grudge towards anyone impacted his life greatly.  He said: “My mother had no enemies. That is why as governor, I do not have any enemies becau

 The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has expressed gratitude to the Church for consistently praying for the success of his Administration.   Governor Wike expressed this, during the 2nd Session of the 9th Synod, Diocese of Niger Delta North, at Emmanuel Anglican Church Okoro-Nu-Odo Deanery, on Saturday, 15th May, 2021. Speaking through his Deputy, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said from the inception of his Administration in 2015 to date the Church had continued to pray, adding that the prayers of the righteous availed much. “It has been effective, it has been effectual. Continue to pray, so that we can fulfil all God has purposed for us to fulfil in our tenure”. The Governor quipped. Governor Wike, who appreciated the Rivers People for their understanding and support at these difficult times said “you have been obeying your Covid-19 restrictions, I can see right here, even in this time when we have had to put a curfew in place, to stem the tide of insurgency, yo

  ...INC Warns Secessionists Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the hitch-free conduct of the recent Ijaw National Congress (INC) election indicated that Nigeria can hold rancour-free national elections. Governor Diri stated this on Friday during the inauguration of the new INC leadership at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic voting to avoid conflicts during elections. A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, noted that the failure of the country's electoral body to adopt e-voting has led to politicisation of revered state institutions and disrespect to such institutions. The governor also said that the adoption of e-voting would provide an opportunity for Nigerians in the Diaspora to choose their leaders through the ballot. His words: "I am an advocate and supporter of electronic voting system. Many Nigerians have been denied the right to vote because they ar

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has commended the Muslim community in the state for their support to his administration's anti-grazing law. Governor Diri gave the commendation on Thursday when he hosted Muslim faithful in Government House, Yenagoa, to mark this year’s Id-el-Fitri celebration.  His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted the governor as saying that he was pleased with the participation of the Muslim community prior to the passage of the bill and the subsequent enforcement of the law. He stated that the anti-grazing law was not against any ethnic group but to ensure peace and order in the state. The governor particularly thanked them for joining hands with government, citizens of the state and adherents of other religions to keep the peace and ensure mutual coexistence. He said: “I like to commend you for your peaceful disposition throughout this period of fasting and prayer. I like to also appreciate and commend you for support

Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has felicitated with Muslim faithful’s in the State as they celebrate the 2021 Ramadan. In a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, 12th May 2021 Dr. Banigo urged Muslims to continue to live peacefully with their Christian neighbours as they celebrate the “festival of breaking the fast”, noting that although Rivers State is a 100% Christian State, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s commitment to give all residents of the State the dividends of democracy is non-discriminatory According to the Deputy Governor, all Nigerians must be united to put an end to insecurity that is ravaging the Country, irrespective of religious affiliation, by ensuring that we remain vigilant and give our security agencies the needed support and encouragement to stem the rising wave of insecurity.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has joined other people of goodwill across the globe to felicitate with Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Odili (JSC), wife of the former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr. Peter Odili, as she celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, 12th May 2021. In a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, 12th May 2021, Dr. Banigo described Justice Odili as a great patriot and legal luminary whose contribution to the socio economic and political development of Rivers State and indeed Nigeria is beyond measure. According to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Justice Mary Odili has continued to serve meritoriously over the years as a Judge of the High Court, Rivers State between 1992 to 2004, Justice Court of Appeal (JCA), Abuja Division from 2004 to 2010, Presiding Justice Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, from 2010 to 2011, and Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria(JSC) from June 23rd 2011 to date. Dr. Banigo said as the First Lad

We read the statement credited to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai in which he accused Governor Samuel Ortom of using the insecurity in his state to attack the Federal Government in order to cover up what he termed as the Benue State Governor’s failure. We want to believe that El-Rufai was wrongly quoted. A man who has failed in several aspects as Governor of Kaduna has no moral justification to accuse another Governor.  A Governor who has divided the good people of Kaduna against one another by not hiding his hatred of indigenes of the state on account of religion and ethnicity is not qualified to judge another Governor on any issue whatsoever. A Governor who chose a Muslim deputy in a state where Christians have a huge population is certainly not one to preach unity and peaceful co-existence.  El-Rufai’s attack on Governor Ortom is merely to make him look good before the Presidency. He has apparently fallen out of favour at the Villa and wants to use Governor Ortom as a launch p

   ...Describes Him As Champion Of Press Freedom Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, was on Wednesday night conferred with the Distinguished Friend of the Media Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The umbrella body of journalists in Nigeria described Governor Diri as "a champion of press freedom in Nigeria's governance space and one who has actively supported press freedom."  The award plaque was presented by the NUJ President, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, at a ceremony held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre of the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2021 Press Freedom Day. In his brief remarks, the governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, said he was elated to be considered for the award despite turning down several of such offers and letters since assuming office. He commended the NUJ for the recognition and honour while praising journalists in general for their sacrifice d

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered the removal of illegal structures and traders around all markets in Yenagoa, the state capital. Governor Diri gave the order on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers,  Government House, Yenagoa. The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the  pronouncement was necessitated by the resurgence of clashes between rival cult groups at the Swali market area. Governor Diri recalled that at the inception of his administration, illegal traders and structures were evacuated from the Swali market to bring sanity to the area but expressed regrets that  it had been reoccupied by miscreants and traders. He said: "There has been a running battle between cult groups around the Swali market. We had earlier dislodged the same cultists at the beginning of this administration and ensured that the market was not obstructed. We also removed the illegal structures and traders. "However, yester

 Governors in the Southern part of the country under the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Tuesday evening, met to discuss the state of the nation.  The meeting held virtually and was at the instance of Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, Ifeanyi Okowa and David Umahi of Ondo, Delta and Ebonyi, respectively.  Each of the trio is Chairman of the Southwest, South South and South East Governors' Forums respectively too.  Fifteen of the seventeen governors from the Southern part attended the meeting. They include; Ekiti State Governor who doubles as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), David Umahi( Ebonyi), Godwin Obaseki,(Edo), and Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo (Deputy Governor of Enugu representing the governor). Others are: Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Victor Ikpeazu (Abia), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). The

 His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed recieved in audience the leadership of the  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bauchi State Branch at the Council Chamber, Government House Bauchi.  Governor Bala while welcoming the new officials congratulated them for their well deserved victory.  He said his administration is appreciative with the support and prayers of the Christian community in the State.  The Governor appreciated the peaceful coexistence among the people of the State irrespective of their religious differences, acknowledging the outstanding performance of the immediate past executives of the CAN and advised the new officials to live up to expectations.  Earlier speaking, the new Chairman of the CAN expressed gratitude to Governor Bala for ensuring justice in managing the affairs of the State.  He said the visit was to introduce to the Governor the newly elected officials and to seek for his support to achieve the desired

  ...Request Him To Rebuild Assembly Complex, Legislative Quarters The Honourable Members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly have attended Ramadan Iftar Dinner organized in their honour by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State His Excellency Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammad at Banquet Hall, Government House Bauchi, today. Speaking during the event, the Speaker of House Rt. Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman thanked the Governor for honouring them with the iftar dinner which he said will further strengthen their relationship. The Speaker expressed the appreciation of the Honourable Members of the 9th Assembly of Bauchi State to the Governor for taking very good care of them through timely payment of their entitlements and privileges as well as granting their requests. While commending him for various developmental projects across the State, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman  requests him to rebuild the Assembly Complex which was built since 1977. "Your Excellency, in some states, we are seeing