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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has commended the people of Ikebiri Kingdom in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Ward 3, for their show of maturity and peaceful conduct in the face of unprovoked threats to lives and properties during the November 11 gubernatorial election in the area. Speaking through his Commissioner for Power, Hon. Ebitei Robert Tonyon at a victory thanksgiving reception organised by the Ikebiri community in Yenagoa on Sunday, Gov. Diri said intelligence report at his disposal during the election indicated that there were unprovoked threats to lives and properties in Ikebiri…

By Young Erhiurhoro The above topic is very timely and important for leaders of communities in the entire Niger-Delta region. Autocratic leadership is never receptive or acceptable to the subjects or indigenes of the community. It’s never acceptable to any right-thinking person in the community. This is the major reason why so many Nigerians are deliberately against military rule in the country. This is because military government embodies greater autocratic processes in government than civilian or democratic rule. For instance, what Nigeria as a country is passing through since 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule, is an adjunct…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The national treasurer of the Presidential Amnesty Program, third phase, general Victor Occasion, and the adviser to the national chairman of the third phase, general Princewill Kotingo, have called on President Ahmed Tinubu to reappoint Major General Tariye Barry Ndiomu as the substantive coordinator of the Amnesty Program, in order for him to rebrand it. In an interaction with journalists in Yenagoa, ex-militant leaders said Gen. Ndiomu (rtd) has succeeded in sanitizing the pay roll system of the Amnesty programme, alleging that “before now there were so many fraudulent activities in the system, ranging from multiple BVN to changing…

By Ehichioya Ezomon Many Nigerians agreed – and had hoped – that the amended Electoral Act 2022 would be a game changer in terms of its dynamism and innovation to cure obvious lapses in the electoral system, and ensure credibility and transparency of elections. But as shown in the process, outcome and aftermath of the February-March 2023 General Election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a lot of loopholes and wiggle room still exist in the system. Trust politicians, they’ve exploited these flaws for selfish ends. Even those that’d long shot – or no shot at all -…

… Offers to Host International Summit on River Conservation By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, took his campaign against the threats of ocean surge, coastal erosion, environmental pollution and their related impacts to the global stage. Speaking during the United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UN-CCRD) unveiling session of the ongoing Climate Change Summit (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Governor Diri solicited concerted global efforts to address the effects of oceanification and climate change on Bayelsa coastal communities. A statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as…

By Young E. Freeborn, Warri As part of efforts to strengthen the relationship among traditional rulers in the country, the Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna State, HRM Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed Bamalli has paid a visit to Ogurimerime Ukori 1, HRM Mike Omeru, the Ovie of Agbon kingdom at his palace in Otorho-Agbon, headquarters of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State. A notable chief from the palace who spoke to newsmen confirmed that the Emir’s visit was as a result of familiarization for the purpose of unity among traditional rulers, towards ensuring their input to the overall development of the nation. Addressing the…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The head of Department Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), Professor Christian Elendu, has commended Hannah Reuben after she broke a 50-year-old record at 36th World Military Wrestling Championship. Professor Elendu, “on behalf of the vice chancellor, dean and the entire University of Port Harcourt commended the achievement of Hannah Reuben, a final year student of the university,” for clinching gold for the Nigerian Military at the just concluded World Military Wrestling Championship held in Azerbaijan from December 27 to 3, 2023. Professor Christian Elendu who made the commendation in Port…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has restated the need for IIjaw leaders to promote education and the cultural heritage of their ethnic nation. Givernor Diri stated this at the weekend during a funeral programme in honour of the departed Amananaowei of Ebedebiri Community, His Royal Highness Dr. Anderson John Eseimokunoh, at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Diri stressed that education remains the most dependable means of developing any society and its cultural values. A statement issued by the deputy governor’s media aide, Mr Doubara…

… Seek Increase in Beneficiaries’ Stipends from N65,000 to N100,000 By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) has faulted calls for an increase in the budgetary allocation to contractors of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). According to the group, instead of an “unfounded budgetary increase, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should immediately increase the monthly stipend of Amnesty beneficiaries from N65,000 to N100,000 to cope with rising inflation.” They also called on President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, “to convene a meeting with the founding fathers of the Amnesty Programme to…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa An Environmental right activist, Comrade Alagoa Moris, has revealed reasons why he embarked on massive campaign for the re-election of Senator Douye Diri for a second term. Comrade Alagoa Moris who was appointed as Technical Adviser on Environment 1 to Governor Douye Diri, said he was given the appointment in August 2023 and by the letter, Technical 1, means there are others, but he is the Technical Adviser 1 and was ready to hit the ground running. He said though the appointment was given to him in August, much was not done as everybody’s attention and resources…