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About 275 civil society organizations and networks working on drugs, health, human rights and justice issues in Nigeria have sent an Open Letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to “reject and ensure the removal of ‘Death Penalty for Drug Offences’ Passed Bill for an Act to amend the NDLEA Act, 2004 (HB.472).” Signed on behalf of the 275 CSOs by Okereke Chinwike Esq., founder & CEO, African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), and Mrs Alao-Amiola Oluwafisayo, executive director of Youth Initiative For Drug Research Information Support And Education (YOUTHRISE), the letter is part of a national advocacy action by the civil…

The Bayelsa Elders Council has commiserated with the state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, over the death of his immediate elder brother, Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo, which sad event took place at the weekend. The Elders Council, led by its chairman, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit on the deputy governor at Government House, Yenagoa. Speaking during the visit, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said the death of Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo, fondly called Natty, came as a rude shock to the Elders Council, noting that the loss of a dear brother was always painful. While commiserating with the…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has emphasized the importance of referees’ development to Nigeria attaining enviable heights in world football. Governor Diri stated this during the 2024 Nigeria Football Referees Association, Annual General Meeting on Thursday, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital. Governor Diri who was represented by the commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Daniel Igali, said referees play a vital role in the outcome of games, hence the need for them to be fair and professional. Igali commended the progress Nigerian referees had made overtime while advocating for a better welfare which…

… Thumbs Up Diri, Ewhrudjakpo for Backing Team By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Following the doggedness and fighting spirit that made them remain in Nigeria’s football elite division, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Bayelsa State chapter, has expressed its delight with the state-owned male football team, Bayelsa United. The 2023/2024 Nigerian Professional Football League season has been turbulent for the team, with it (Bayelsa United) spending almost half of the season battling to keep its head above water. However, the Prosperity Boys, as the team is fondly called, were relentless till the last match day, and saw off Bendel…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Bayelsa State Command says it has arrested 155 suspects in the state for various illicit drugs offences. The Bayelsa State, NDLEA Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, stated this while speaking to journalists against the backdrop of activities marking the 2024 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the theme, ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.’ Kanu said the command has equally made seizures of 97.826kgs. He said those arrested include 110 male and 45 females, totalling 155 suspects. The Bayelsa State NDLEA boss further reiterated the…

By Amos Odhe As part of efforts to fasten the development of the Niger Delta Region, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has paid a visit to the senators representing the agency’s two catchment areas in Delta State. The senators, Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central Senatorial District) and Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South), represent 18 local government areas of the Authority’s mandate area. Prince Amgbare during the visit, which took place in Abuja solicited for support from the duo to actualise the mandate of the Authority, aimed…

The celebration of Mein Deity, known as Diringbia 2024 Ànnual purification, has been concluded in Ogobiri Town. The celebration, spanning three days, the first in 2024, is the symbolic spiritual cleansing of the kingdom, characterized by offering of sacrifices, pouring of libations with drinks, food and singing, and dancing to cleanse the communities to honour the supreme god of the kingdom, Mein-dringbia, and also pray for the peace and progress of Mein sons and daughters and the Ijaw Nation in general. Performing part of the sacred rites at Supreme Mein-Diringbia Bou in Ogobiri, headquarters of Mein Kingdom, Chief Priest of…

By Kelechi Nwaucha “Without trees, we lose oxygen, and without oxygen, we lose life,” said the convener of Zadok Foundation, Pastor Michael Zilly Aggrey. This formed the background of a tree planting and climate change awareness campaign embarked on by Zadok Foundation for schools in Rivers State. Tagged ‘Together for our Environment Day,’ and organized as part of activities marking the 2024 World Environment Day, the campaign, which sought to spread “the importance of managing our environment and creating awareness on tree planting,” ran from Thursday June 20 to 21, 2024. The first two schools to benefit from the campaign,…

Non-governmental organization, Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development (EUFORDe), in collaboration with Forum For Citizens Empowerment and Community Development (FCEMCODE) and Civil Society Action Coalition On Education For All (CSACEFA), has organized a Talent Hunt for out-of-school, indigent and vulnerable children in communities. According to Mercy Elemchukwu-James, executive director of Ese Usamali Foundation for Rural Development (EUFORDe), the event, which took place from June 10th to 16th, is the second edition, and was held to commemorate the International Day of the African Child 2024, with theme: Year of Education. “The theme for the Talent Hunt, ‘The Need For Education And…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Project Niger Delta, PND, a socio-political and group has berated acclaimed Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark over his charge to members of the Ijaw Publishers Forum to protect the interests of the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro. According to the group, the comments by Clark regarding the appointment of PAP boss should be ignored, as they do not reflect the aspirations of the Ijaw people, adding that “he should understand the concerns regarding the appointment of Dr. Otuaro if he is an Ijaw elder statesman.” In a statement, Comrade Princewill Timipre…