NATIONAL VIBES

 The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently accredited 27 more undergraduate programmes at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amasoma, bringing the total programmes given full accreditation at the institution to 71.  The NDU Vice Chancellor, Prof, Samuel Edoumiekumo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a presentation to Governor Douye Diri inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, shortly before commencement of the weekly Exco meeting. Prof. Edoumiekumo stated that fully accredited programmes would be revisited by the NUC in five years while those on interim accreditation would be revisited in two years.  The VC thanked Governor Diri for setting up the committee that worked towards the success of the accreditation exercise. Speaking earlier, the NDU Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Mathew Seiyefa, who also commended the governor for the successes recorded so far at the university, said no society rises above the level of its tertiary institutions

 Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, has commended Governor Douye Diri for granting the state judiciary financial autonomy. She said this has enabled it to function optimally. Justice Abiri stated this on Wednesday in Yenagoa during the commissioning of a renovated court premises and an adapted Lady Justice statue. The Chief Judge, who commended Governor Diri for prompt release of funds for the judiciary to enable it meet its financial obligations, noted that in her years of service, this was the first administration that had given the judicial arm of government the free hand to manage its resources. She said: "The commissioning of the newly renovated court premises and the Lady Justice statue was made possible by the appreciable implementation of the financial autonomy in Bayelsa State by Governor Diri. "In my many years as the head of the judiciary, this is the first time we have been given a free hand to fully manage our resources and build to our satisfaction.&

 Federal Government parastatals in Bayelsa State have solicited the cooperation of the state government in order to ease their office accommodation challenge.  Heads of the federal agencies made the request on Tuesday in Government House, Yenagoa, during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri.  The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a press release, quoted Chairman of the Association of Heads of Federal Parastatals, Mr. Obaro Ologbo, as saying that the visit was to seek the governor's intervention towards completing the federal secretariat in the state, which he said was 80 per cent completed.  Ologbo lamented the difficulty faced by federal parastatals, which, according to him, are struggling to pay rents. He appealed to Governor Diri to do all within his power to see that the secretariat project was completed.  Ologbo lauded the governor's developmental strides since he assumed office 18 months ago and pledged that the federal parastatals in the sta

The Southern Nigeria Frontier, is disturbed by a statement by the Presidency through the usual Mallam Garuba  Shehu on the decision of the federal government, to retrieve 368 Grazing Reserves, spread across 25 states of the Federation. We consider this statement, coming from President Muhammadu Buhari, through Mr Sheu as another in the series of desperate attempt by the regime, to impose the infamous Ruga settlements system for Fulani herdsmen across the country. While we have an unshaken believe, in the non-existent of any grazing reserve in the seventeen Southern States of Nigeria, under the control of the Federal government, it is imperative to ask the federal government once again, how and when it gazetted the lands in the said 25 states because we are very sure of the powers, given by the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, as amended, to the governors of the various states, as far as the administration of lands in within their territories are concerned.   Beyond a te

  ....Commends FG On Fire Truck Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has dedicated the Distinguished COVID-19 Response Champion Award to the state's COVID-19 committee in appreciation of its hard work and sacrifice in the fight against the scourge. The award was conferred on the governor in Abuja by the National Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (NAMLS) in recognition of his administration's efforts in mitigating the spread of the pandemic in the state. Senator Diri stated this during the courtesy visit of the NAMLS executive led by the president, Prof. James Damen, to Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday. A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on  Wednesday said the governor expressed gratitude to the association for the honour and for recognising his administration's developmental strides in the health sector. Recalling the period of the outbreak of the pandemic, Governor Diri described it as an "excruciating season in Ba

  ...Inducts Gov Diri Into Hall Of Fame The United Nations Rescue Services, a non-governmental body affiliated to the United Nation Economic and Social Council, is to embark on different developmental projects worth $3.5 billion in Bayelsa State. The Convener/Global Chairman of the UN Rescue Services, Ambassador Steve Midalah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at Government House, Yenagoa. Dr Midalah stated that the UN Rescue Mission engages in development services worldwide in order to make life easier for the populace. According to him, there  were 17 areas of interest but it focuses on eradicating extreme hunger and poverty in Nigeria. He stated that the identified areas were housing, education, feeding among others. The projects to be embarked on by the mission in the state include building of 1000 housing units, procurement and distribution of grains and training of 1000 youths. He said that the projects would be executed at no cost to the st

  ...Oborududu Gets N4m, Bayelsa United, Queens Players N1m Each Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, announced cash rewards to Bayelsa-born Tokyo Olympic silver  medallist, Blessing Oborududu, and the winners of the 2021 AITEO Cup, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens. Oborududu got N4 million while the top 25 registered players of both United and Queens were rewarded with one million naira each. The governor at the official reception in honour of the victorious Bayelsa sports men and women in Government House, Yenagoa, also announced a million naira reward for Oborududu's coach, Mr. Victor Kodei, who was a former wrestling champion. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as announcing cash rewards of N1.3million for the technical advisers of both teams. Also rewarded were the clubs' board chairmen, who got N1.5 million each. The governor equally directed the immediate release of two Coaster buses to both football tea

  During his unfettered access with journalists on the first of this month, Engr. Kayode Ojo, had spoken on pocket politics, and why it is important for everyone to be financially empowered. According to the businessman, this would make it difficult for politicians to deceive them with little cash. Engr. Kayode Ojo is well known across Ekiti state and beyond for his philanthropic traits, one the first All Progressive Congress (APC) local government chairman in Ijero Ekiti says people should emulate from. Chief Akeweje Folowosele Abayomi, attested to the fact that the businessman helps people across political, religious and ethnic lines. He also narrated how Engr. Kayode Ojo assisted him financially in the year 2017. Watch him speak with Mr Yomi Aiyeleso and KikioTolu News below;  

The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the Contributions and Legacies of Sir Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi 11 Oba (EzeOgba) of Ogbaland would remain indelible.   Governor Wike stated this during the Final Rites of Passage of Sir Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi 11 Oba (EzeOgba) of Ogbaland, on Friday 13th August 2021 in Omoku.   Represented by his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said the late Monarch’s life demonstrated selfless service to community, humanity and to God, adding that his legacies would remain for us to have footprints to fellow on to a great Rivers State that we all dream of.   According to the Governor, the revered Monarch whose reign lasted for fifty years was a grassroots developer and an arrow head for development and progress in Rivers State and was always a peace builder.   Governor Wike who condoled the Royal family and the People of Ogbaland said Sir Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi 11 Oba (EzeOgba) of Ogbaland, was always charismatic, charitable and ende

… Says stakeholders need critical framework  Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Saturday in Bama and Gwoza, addressed military officers and community leaders, noting that ongoing surrender of Boko Haram fighters has left Borno State with two extremely difficult situations. He said the situation require diverse stakeholders including representatives of attacked communities, to come together and critically review the pros, cons and implications of the surrender, in order to agree on a framework that is well thought-out. Zulum travelled to Gwoza and Bama local government areas for humanitarian and developmental activities before addressing military commanders at Brigades in Gwoza and Bama, and community leaders at the palaces of the Emir of Gwoza and Shehu of Bama. The Governor delivered the same message in both towns.  "We (in Borno) are in a very difficult situation over the ongoing surrender by insurgents. We have to critically look between two extreme conditions and decide our futu

  ...Omoku Kinsmen Honour Governor's Wife Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the late king of Ogbaland, Dr Chukwumela Nnam Obi II, as a wise and influential king that ruled with wisdom and brought development to his domain. Senator Diri stated this at the monarch's palace on Saturday at Omoku in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State when he paid a condolence visit to the people of Ogbaland. The governor in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, noted that the late king lived a good and impactful life as attested to by his legacies. While commiserating with the new king and members of the deceased family, Diri urged them to be consoled that the late prominent ruler left good legacies that speak well of him even after his death. He said the visit was not only as governor of Bayelsa State but also as an in-law and friend of Ogbaland even as he congratulated the new king on his ascension to the throne. T