By David Owei

Former Member of the Federal House of Representative, RT.Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli has described as ” opposition failed attempts to score political point” the recent criticism following comments made by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the 50th birthday celebration of the wife of Hon. Leke Abejide.

According to Sunny Goli, despite the cry by some members of the opposition, the Chief of Staff’s message was one of steadfastness and encouraging a high-performing lawmaker to maintain the integrity of the platform he has toiled to build and to resist external interference.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the 50th birthday celebration of the wife of Hon. Leke Abejide had urged Hon. Abejide—the sole elected member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the National Assembly—to remain steadfast within his party and charged him to fight and scatter those against him.

Gbajabiamila also encouraged him to fight and hold unto his party as he claimed the Presidency like what he is doing within the ADC and the comment sparked criticism.

But Rt. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, who is a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a leading Senatorial Aspirant in Bayelsà State, stated in a statement on Tuesday that ​while critics have attempted to frame these comments as a move to fuel acrimony within the opposition or as an overreach into partisan politics, it is essential to provide a clear and objective context to this exchange.

He said “​Politics, by its very nature, is a game of deft maneuvering with the primary objective of attaining and sustaining power. It is not the obligation of any political leader, regardless of their position, to manage the internal affairs or resolve the internal friction of opposing parties.”

“It is, therefore, unrealistic to expect the President’s Chief of Staff to invite divergent interests within the ADC—or any other party—to a roundtable for amicable resolution.”
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“​Rather than pillorying Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila for his remarks, they should be viewed as a rallying cry for political resilience.”

,” By encouraging Hon. Abejide to “hold on” to his party, the Chief of Staff was advocating for the protection of smaller party structures against hostile takeovers by political interlopers.”

” In an era where smaller parties face the existential threat of being subsumed by larger entities, this charge serves as an endorsement of a robust, multi-party democracy.”

“​The attempt by certain interests to sensationalise this innocuous statement is a transparent effort to score cheap political points.”

“The Chief of Staff’s message was one of steadfastness: encouraging a high-performing lawmaker to maintain the integrity of the platform he has toiled to build and to resist external interference.”
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“​I implore the public and political commentators to look beyond the “hullabaloo” and recognise the statement for what it truly is: an acknowledgment of political tenacity and a call for leaders to remain loyal to their mandates and party structures.”
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By David Owei, Bayelsa

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has awarded scholarships to 600 host community students in Bayelsa State, as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) called for deepened collaboration between communities and the surveillance firm to sustain the security of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Both announcements were made at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by PINL for host communities in Bayelsa, amid ongoing calls by some stakeholders for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts — a position NNPCL’s presence at the meeting appeared to counter.

PINL is the private security firm responsible for the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN).

Speaking at the meeting, Engr. Akponime Omojevwe, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, NNPCL, said the corporation is pleased with the relationship that has developed between PINL and Bayelsa communities, and urged all parties to consolidate on the progress made.

“I’m usually delighted because the bond in Bayelsa between the communities and PINL is a very strong one. The collaboration is a hundred percent and we don’t want that rating to drop because they have tried so much,” he said.

“Anytime I come here, I’m always happy because I see the collaboration, I see the unity. You can imagine the words of the royal fathers just now — that they are in support of PINL,” Omojevwe added.
He commended stakeholders for their commitment to securing the TNP and called for a complete end to pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering activities.
At the same event, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, presented scholarships to 600 host community students — covering both undergraduate and postgraduate beneficiaries — and announced the commencement of disbursement for women empowerment and youth skill acquisition programmes.

Mezeh said the gesture reflects the value the company places on education and human capital development within its host communities.
“In Bayelsa, we have granted scholarships to 600 students of higher institutions in our host communities, giving them between N500,000 and N1,000,000 each to aid their studies,” he said.
“The granting of scholarships to students of our host communities is a sign that we are committed to their education and human capital development,” he added.
Beneficiaries welcomed the grants, saying the support would ease the financial burden of their studies and sharpen their focus.

One of the beneficiaries
Canus Samuel, a civil engineering student at Niger Delta University (NDU), said: “I can now concentrate well on my studies and make the company and my community proud. I will do my very best to come out with a good CGPA and become a good engineer.”
Mr. Albert, also a postgraduate student at NDU, struck a note that captured the broader spirit of the occasion. “I’m so happy for this privilege because it will enhance our performance in school — most of us don’t have better sources of raising funds. It is a real leverage for us,” he said, before adding: “We are making a commitment to continue to protect our pipeline so that there will be no vandalism and their operations will go smoothly.”

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extended warm felicitations to the people of Rivers State, enjoining them to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, reconciliation and unity as Christians celebrate the feast of Easter.

In a goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi as Christians commemorate the feast, Gov Fubara urged residents of the state to emulate Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, brought forgiveness and reconciliation to mankind.

He described Easter as a sacred season in which Christians are expected to promote peace, unity, and love. Fubara also prayed that the Easter season may bring joy, hope, and renewal to Rivers State and Nigeria.

“As we celebrate Easter, I extend warm wishes to all Christians in Rivers State. The resurrection of Jesus Christ symbolizes hope, renewal, and triumph over adversity. May this season bring peace, joy, and spiritual growth to our lives.

“May the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness guide us in our journey towards a more united and prosperous Rivers State,” he said.

The Governor hailed the resilience of the Christian community and reiterated his unwavering commitment to delivering good governance to the entire people of Rivers State.

He also encouraged the people to continue to support his administration as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that progress can only be achieved through collective efforts and unity of purpose.