Niger Delta

Bayelsa 2023: Ewhrudjakpo Still My Running Mate – Diri

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2023

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described as untrue insinuations in quarters that he intends to drop his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in his re-election bid.
Speaking at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state when he played host to the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, Diri said such rumours were baseless.
He said his Deputy has contributed significantly to the success of the administration and it will be unthinkable to drop him.
“Let me also state this to clear the air. My Deputy has worked very well and nobody told me to refer to him as workaholic and resourceful. Our pairing is a divine arrangement”, he said.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the Diri/Ewhrudjakpo ticket was a divine project, which God used his predecessor, Senator Dickson, to make a reality.
Diri, who received Dickson in company of his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, traditional rulers, and leaders of thought from Kolokuma/Opokuma, restated his appreciation to his predecessor for his role in his emergence as Governor of the state, saying himself and the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma will forever be grateful to him.
He also stated that Dickson laid a solid foundation upon which his administration is building and promised not to derail.
The state’s helmsman noted that as a human, he is not perfect and appealed to leaders and the people of the state to support him to enable him deliver the much needed development.
“We went to Toru-Orua for a Christmas and thank-you visit last week. There are certain things you do for a man and he will thank you until his death and that is what Senator Dickson has done.
“We never expected that our brother and friend, who has done this great thing, will also visit again today. You did not owe us this.
“On behalf of the kings and people of Kolokuma/Opokuma, we again express our gratitude to you. We are very grateful. God will always use a human and He used you to ensure that a Kolokuma son was picked as Governor.
“The ticket was divine otherwise we will not be here. Even if I speak until night, it cannot express the gratitude in our hearts.
“Whatever success we are recording today is because you laid a solid foundation. Most of the projects we execute today, you started them and I think that is the beauty of continuity in government.”
“If the other party came in and abandoned them, it is the state that will suffer. We are happy that we have carried on most of the projects you left for us.
Earlier, Senator Dickson said he was in Sampou on a new year visit and to deepen the relationship between him and the Governor, assuring that the success of the current prosperity administration remained his priority.
He said Governor Diri deserves all the honour and support he can get to move the state forward.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

Published

16 hours ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.

Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.

“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.

She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.

“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.

“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.

Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.

The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.

She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.

“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.

The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Tasks Public Officers On Selflessness

Published

16 hours ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged public office holders in the state to put the interest of the people above self in the discharge of their duties.

The Governor gave the charge when the new executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), State Chapter, led by Bishop Abos Willie, called on him at Government House, Asaba.

He said it was the lack of fear of God that made some public office holders to put themselves above the collective interest of the people.

Oborevwori attributed the successes so far recorded by his administration in the last 19 months to divine directive and God’s providence and pledged to continue to put God first in the governance of the state.

He congratulated members of the new PFN executive in the state on their successful election and promised to synergies with them in advancing the M.O.R.E Agenda of his administration.

“First, let me congratulate the new executive members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Delta state Chapter.

“As an administration, we are grateful to God for the successes that we have recorded so far.

“It is by divine wisdom that we have been able to judiciously allocate resources that meet competing needs and made the right choices and decisions.

“As a government, we are determined to continue to trust God for wisdom, guidance and direction to successfully execute the programmes that we have outlined under the M.O.R.E Agenda.

“I know that, in partnership with the Christian body, we will succeed because, as an Elder in the Living Faith Church, we put God first in everything that we do.

“We are elected or appointed to serve interest of the people and not for our personal interest; as such, the interest of the people should come first.

“By the time you put the interest of the people first, you will succeed but when you put your personal interest first, you will fail”, he said.

He said his administration was committed to doing those things that would positively impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots.

“l want to assure you that, as a government, we will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders in order to move the state forward”, Oborevwori said.

He implored the PFN and the church to continue to pray for the state and the nation, affirming that God was needed to reverse the ugly trend in the country.

Earlier, the State PFN Chairman, Bishop Abos Willie, said the visit was not only to introduce the new executive to the governor but to also congratulate him on his giant strides and recognition by the ThisDay Newspaper and Arise Television as the Governor -of -The -Year.

Willie reminded the Governor of the need to sustain zero tolerance for shoddy projects, stressing that the bold step would stamp out the syndrome of abandonment of projects in the state.

He outlined the programmes of his administration to include the value of the Holy Bible, religious harmony, integrity in Christianity and value of being born again.

He, however, urges the state government support in achieving the set goals

Niger Delta

C’ River Committed To Mangrove Restoration – Gov

Published

17 hours ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, last Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling climate change by advocating for the restoration of the state’s mangroves.

Otu made this remark during a courtesy visit by officials of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, highlighting the state’s proactive stance as the first to enact a Climate Change Law.

Emphasising the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, he called for greater support for ongoing projects and increased investment in training and awareness initiatives at the community level.

“Our mangroves have suffered, but we are working on sustainable solutions. This is a testament to our full support and commitment to climate action.

“Our roadmap is strong, and our people are ready to collaborate for a greener economy”, he said.

Also speaking during the visit, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, commended the Cross River government for its leadership in climate governance.

Maduekwe, who is also a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, described mangroves as Nigeria’s ‘low-hanging fruit’ in climate mitigation, highlighting their economic and environmental significance.

She noted that a stakeholder town hall meeting had been held in Calabar, the state capital, to establish a concrete roadmap for mangrove restoration and conservation.

“We are excited to see a state that has not only adopted the Climate Change Law but has also developed a solid framework for a green economy.

“While we continue to engage other states, Cross River stands out as a model in driving climate action”, she said.

She, however, stressed the need for a strong legal framework to ensure effective climate action, noting that operationalising a climate change fund would be crucial in attracting global financial support.

On her part, Dr Edu Effiom, Director-General of the Cross River Council on Climate Change, reiterated the state’s efforts in mangrove restoration and carbon investment, noting that significant progress was being made.