NATIONAL VIBES

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has restated the significance of the road from Nembe to the Brass Island in Brass Local Government Areas of the state to the country's economy. Governor Diri restated this on Tuesday while declaring open the 10th Practical Nigerian Content Conference with the theme “Driving the Nigeria Content in the Dawn of Petroleum Industry Act.” The three-day conference is organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at its headquarters in Yenagoa.  The governor re-echoed his call to the Federal Government following President Muhammadu Buhari's Executive Order 7 of 2019 on the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme to construct roads across the country. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that given the value of Nembe-Brass road and its capacity to cut the cost of operations of the oil companies in the Brass axis as well as signif...

  OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE, AT THE 10TH ANNUAL PRACTICAL NIGERIAN CONTENT FORUM, ON TUESDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER, 2021, NCDMB CONFERENCE CENTRE, NIGERIA CONTENT TOWER, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE “Local Content Can Lead To Local Contentment”  1. I am delighted to warmly welcome all participants and guests to our peaceful capital city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, The Glory of All Lands, for the 10th Annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum. I heartily congratulate all concerned for the initiative. It is gratifying to note, that the leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has sustained this iconic event for a decade. I am thankful to you, for the kind courtesy of making the opening address to this august congregation.    2. Let me also observe that, it is apt that this bespoke event, is taking place, right here in the magnificent hall of the NCDMB Conference Centre, within the precincts of t...

  …..As Deputy Governor, Senator Dickson, Dr Singabele ….Call for hitch free competition Ndoro Community, in the Ekeremor Council Area, has progressed to next round of the maiden edition of the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, also known as the Ofurumapepe Cup, after a vital one nil victory over Tamo-gbene  Community, in the opening fixture of the tournament. From the blast of the whistle, Ndoro proved they were the better side, as they were often found at the danger area of their opponents, and missing several opportunities in the process. However, their efforts paid off in the 35th minute when a clearance from the defence line found Ego Ebilayor, who beat his marker comfortably, and lobbed the ball over the napping goal keeper from Tamo-gbene, Fadiki Tam. There was another opportunity for the leaders which was wasted. But Tamo-gbene's best opportunity came ten minutes later, but the shot went wide. Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was repr...

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has urged Christians to avoid actions that would not glorify God because, He has destined man to praise His Glory. Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the Kingdom Life Gospel Outreach Ministries during their 2021 Convention/Anniversary in Port Harcourt on the 28th Nov. 2021. Dr. Banigo said a few people still have trouble and get disappointed after giving their lives to Christ, which she attributed to faulty foundation, adding that the righteous needs to go back and correct the faulty foundation. Dr. Banigo stated this during the Convention and Special Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Kingdom Life Gospel Outreach Ministries in Port Harcourt on Sunday, 28th November 2021. According to Dr. Banigo, whatever you are doing and you are not praising His Glory, you need to get back to destiny.   “One thing the devil fights is our destiny because he knows that if each of us fulfils our destiny, ...

  By Taiwo Adisa “Yiyo ekun, ti ojo ko,” so goes the Yoruba saying. It translates to, ‘The gentility of a tiger is not a sign of weakness.’ In the jungle, ‘that the lion is master of stealth does not translate to fear.’ That is what the Yoruba saying is affirming in those words. At the Eagle Square, Abuja in the early hours of Sunday, October 31, Governor Seyi Makinde had just delivered his candidate, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). From the ranks of his supporters, somebody hailed – The master strategist! The governor gave him thumbs up and the general backslapping continued. Simply called GSM, Makinde, who was thrust into the frontline of Oyo State’s politics via the March 9, 2019 governorship election, is fast emerging the master of stealth as the strides of his politics and policies seep through the state, zonal and national scenes. But the fun is that his political opponents often fail to realise that stealthy...

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called on all well- meaning citizens, especially the male folk to join the campaign to end violence against women and girls. Dr. Banigo made this call in her good will message from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 25th November 2021, to commemorate the 2021, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Dr. Banigo, who urged the male folk to be strong advocates in the quest to eliminate violence against women and girls, noted that violence against women and girls increase in the society during crises. The Deputy Governor said it manifests in physical, sexual and psychological means and most times perpetrated by trusted family members, while the rest of society look the other way, adding that sometimes women are also culpable when it comes to violence against fellow women. Dr. Banigo said the State Government under the leadership of Governor Wike takes the security and wellbei...

  ……Bayelsa Deputy Governor, CAF board member to kick-off tournament The maiden edition of the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, known as Ofurumapepe Cup, will kick off, in Ekeremor Town, Ekeremor Council Area of Bayelsa State, this Saturday, November 27th. A statement signed by the Technical Consultant of the competition, Mr. Ono Akpe, on Thursday 25th, said two communities from Ekeremor LGA, Ndoro and Tamu-Gbene will lock horns in the presence of top government functionaries and sports lovers. According to the statement, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, will kick off the tournament as Special Guest of Honour, while former board member of the Nigerian Football Federation and CAF Medical Committee Member, Dr. Peter Singabele , will be the Chairman of the occasion. Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Solomon Agwana, Deputy Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, Youth and Sports Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali, and Special A...

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the death of Mr. Tony Uranta, executive secretary of foremost advocacy group, United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), as a painful loss to Nigeria, Niger Delta and indeed the Ijaw nation. Mr. Uranta, who was a member of the defunct Federal Government Technical Committee on Niger Delta, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) among others, passed on Wednesday after a protracted illness. Governor Diri, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, on Thursday, said Uranta was a committed activist and advocate for environmental justice and good governance not only in his Niger Delta region but also in Nigeria. The Bayelsa governor noted that he was a dogged fighter, who dedicated his entire life to a cause he believed in. He said despite the state of his health, Uranta was consistent and unrelenting, noting that he still had the presence ...

A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, on Monday, accused the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu of shielding the Director General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, from prosecution for purportedly misappropriating funds meant for the upgrade of the communication assets of the agency, among other accusations of misappropriation of funds, by the DG of the agency, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu. The group said it was awful that the Governor Sanwo-Olu had continued to protect the LASEMA DG, from Investigation and prosecution for his alleged inability to account for funds meant for revamping the faulty Lagos State Command & Control Centre, the nucleus of information & intelligence gathering in the most digitally developed State in the country. In a statement signed by Hon. Idowu Israel, Chairman Environmental Rights Movement on behalf of the Coalition, the group said it is displeased that despite calls by well meaning Lagosians, Leaders and Civil Society Or...

 The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says Phase 1 of the Trans Kalabari Road Project is definitely on course and would be completed on schedule. Dr Banigo made this assertion during the commissioning of the Pedro Compound Memorial Hall in Bakana, on Saturday, 20th November 2021 as part of the Celebration of the first 100 days in office of the Degema Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams. According to Dr Banigo, “the Trans Kalabari Road is a Project that is very much desired by the Kalabari People, it is a complete breakthrough for them and it is something that will elevate their standard of living”. The Deputy Governor poured encomiums on the Degema Local Government Chairman Hon. Michael John Williams and his Asari Toru counterpart Hon. Onengiyeofori George, for emulating the State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the area of Project execution, adding that the projects have impacted positively on the lives of the people. “The Chairman of...

The University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association has felicitated with the former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on his 64th birthday celebration describing him as an exceptional alumnus of UNIPORT. In a statement on Friday, the AG. National President of the Association, Mr Ewitat Uduak, stated that Dr. Jonathan excellent display of leadership in his years as president, and his countless contributions to a peaceful Nigerian cannot be swept under the carpet and will be celebrated at every given opportunity. Signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ono Akpe, the statement  commended Dr. Jonathan on his various recent appointments as Chairman of the International Summit Council for Peace Africa, ISCP-Africa, Chancellor of Cavendish University, Uganda, United Nations (UN) Special Envoy on Crisis Management noting that his legacy has been recognised by not just African continent alone, but the world at large.   According to Mr Ewitat, the Uniport Alumini congrat...

  ……Distributes Sports Kits To 76 Communities In Sagbama/ Ekeremor LGAs Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, says his passion to engage youths in the state through various forms of empowerment remains intact. The Distinguished Senator made the comment while flagging off the draws/presentation of kits to the seventy six communities participating in the maiden edition of the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, known as Ofurumapepe Cup. The former Governor who was represented by the member representing Sagbama Constituency three at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Salo Adikumo, emphasized the need to utilize the energy and passion of youths in sports and football in particular, expressed optimism that the competition will live up to its billing, where young talents across the Senatorial District, will be spotted and exposed to the world. He added that beyond football, other sporting event...

  ……..As Draws, Presentation of Sports Kits set for Friday All is now set for the maiden edition of the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, known as Ofurumapepe Cup, with the draws and presentation of kits set to be held on Friday in Sagbama. This is sequel to the official unveiling ceremony of the tournament, by the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in Abuja few days ago. Technical Consultant of the competition, Ono Akpe, said in a statement on Thursday, that the Ofurumapepe Cup will among other things, engage the communities within the period of the tournament, and most importantly, transform the lives of youths from the constituency. According to Mr Akpe, the theme ” Youth empowerment for Peace and Development, will also reduce youth restiveness, cult activities, and other vices to it’s barest minimum in Bayelsa, as was experienced during the Restorati...

In an effort to ameliorate the problems of land degradation, desertification, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity in Africa, the umbrella body of private nursery plant practitioners in the FCT, Association of Flower Nurseries and Landscaping Practitioners, Abuja (AFNALPA) has concluded arrangements to set up a Horticulture Village in Abuja as well as plant 10 million trees across the country. This initiative is in support of President Buhari's pledge to drive the re-desertification project of the United Nations under the Great Green Wall Commission. While submitting that this programme is also in support of the United Nations climate change programme including the Great Green Wall initiative to plant 100 million trees in Africa, AFNALPA in a statement on Tuesday explained that it has set a target of Five Hundred Million Naira for the pilot scheme of this project which amongst others seeks to plant 10 million trees nationwide and build the Abuja Horticulture Village....

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advised people that are 30 years and above to go for regular medical check-up to prevent Diabetes. Dr. Banigo gave this advice in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday 13th November, 2021 to commemorate the 2021 World Diabetes Day. Dr. Banigo said the advice became necessary in view of the fact that diabetes was no longer the disease of the elderly, it has come down to the young, and children could also have the type 1 Diabetes. “Check your blood sugar level regularly to know whether it is normal or it is at the pre diabetes stage, because it can be reversed, if it is at the pre diabetes stage, where you will watch your diet, engage in regular exercise and stay away from tobacco and alcohol. Dr. Banigo quipped. Dr. Banigo also said those who already have diabetes should manage it by taking their medication, engage in regular exercise for about 150 minutes a week, eat food that are high in fibr...

 ...URGES YOUTHS TO ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES.   The Senator representing Bayelsa West and former Governor of the State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, on Saturday unveiled the Ofuruma Pepe Football Tournament for youths of the Senatorial District. The Senator called on the youths of the Senatorial District to participate actively in the new Tournament deliberately designed to promote sports development at the grassroots. Senator Dickson who urged well meaning citizens and corporate bodies to identify with the tournament, stressed the need to steer the critical youth populace in the direction of things that should be beneficial to them and indeed the society.   “I want to call on the youths to actively identify once again with the Ofuruma Pepe Football Tournament. Our dream of promoting grassroots sports didn't end with the end of my tenure as governor and as I promised as long as we are alive and available through this foundation the Henry S...

Contrary to the report from Bar Ejiofor, the led counsel and some section of the media, that Nnamdi Kanu’s defence teams were locked out of the Federal High Court room during the proceedings. The proceedings resumed after the Justice Binta Nyako entered the courtroom, Mohammed Abubakar, announced an appearance for the prosecution. However, the defence team, led by Bar. Ejiofor were nowhere to be found, prompting Justice Binta Nyako to ask Nnamdi Kanu of his Defence team whereabouts. In his response, Nnamdi Kanu said his lawyers were protesting the denial of access to Mr Fein, the IPOB lawyer from the United States, who was on the Federal High Court premises to observe the day’s session. But the Judge, who was visibly unhappy about the walk-out, said she will not dismiss the applications against the wish of the Prosecutor, Mohammed Abubakar, who asked the court to dismiss Nnamdi Kanu’s pending applications It will be recalled that a diplomat from the British High Commission, who was in ...

 The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the Government and good People of Rivers State would sorely miss Rev. Stephen Oluwole Akinola, the Founder and General Superintendent of Redemption Ministries World Wide. Governor Wike made this assertion during the Funeral Service in honour of Rev. Stephen Akinola at the Church Auditorium on Saturday, 6th November 2021. Represented by his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said the State would sorely miss his fatherly role, his forthrightness, his speaking truth to power and his high regard for God’s purpose, adding that the State would never forget the massive contributions he made to the spiritual growth of the State. Governor Wike who stressed that the State was truly blessed because; Rev. Akinola domiciled his headquarters in the State. Further said “We cannot forget his hard work, his toil, his compassion and his determination to draw out men and women from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light ...