Connect with us

Politics

FLOOD CONTROL: Bayelsa Deputy Gov. Urges Residents To Complement Govt’s Efforts

Published

on

Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo

 

By David Owei, Bayelsa
Following the flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged residents of the state not to panic but rather cooperate with government in taking proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo made the call on Tuesday during a meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the State Flood Control Directorate, the Environmental Sanitation Authority, Chairmen of local government areas and rural development authorities at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, assured that there would be less impact of flooding in the state because of the steps government is taking to address the menace.

He, however, urged the ministries of environment and information, the Flood Control Directorate and other relevant agencies not to rest on their oars but rather intensify efforts including embarking on sensitization campaigns on proper refuse disposal and clearing of blocked drainages.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo equally charged the flood control directorate to extend their operations to areas that are heavily impacted every year such as Biseni and Tombia in Yenagoa Local Government Area and Obirigbene in Ekeremor LGA.

He equally directed all relevant MDAs to work together to ensure that identified higher grounds in flood prone communities are sand-filled and made habitable in the event of any devastating flooding.

His words: “The Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Environmental Sanitation Authority and Flood Control Directorate should carry out sensitization programmes on the impending flood.

“They should also enlighten our people in rural areas using town criers because we really need to adequately inform our people on the need to stay safe. The Directorate should not pay attention to Yenagoa, the state capital alone.

“There is need to identify higher grounds in places that are flood prone like Biseni and Obrigbene communities so that flood victims could relocate there for safety”.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Ben Ololo, said in the last couple of weeks, his ministry and the Flood Directorate Control made collaborative efforts in clearing drainages and canals.

According to him, more funding and machinery will be required to open up more drainages to reduce the impact of the natural disaster of flooding and erosion.

In their separate contributions, the Director General, Bayelsa State Flood and Erosion Control Directorate, Chief Omuso Wilson Omuso and the Mayor Of Yenagoa City, Mr Bulodisiye Ndiwari, confirmed that the people of Biseni had donated about 15 hectares of land for government to develop as a relief camp for flood victims.

Politics

Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

Published

on

By

Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

Continue Reading

Politics

INC rejects bill granting exclusive co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan

Published

on

By

Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.

He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.

He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.

“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”

“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”

Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”

He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.

Continue Reading

Politics

Alleged Deportation of Nigerians in Ghana: Sen Aniekan urges Nigerians to remain 

Published

on

By

Senate in session in the chamber
By George Mgbeleke
The attention of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians calling on the authority to send Nigerians back to Nigeria alleging that their behaviours and attitudes were not in conformity with the norms of Ghana.
In a statement,Chairman Senate Committee on Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Senator Bassey Aniekan, “the widespread indignation against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all.”
He reiterated that Nigerians are hardworking people and not criminals as purported  and are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
He added that while not denying the fact that there may be some bad individuals amongst them, the generality of Nigerians he stressed, are peaceful and law abiding people.
Furthermore, he pointed out the long standing relationship and partnership, the two countries have had over the years emphasizing that Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and  in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration, should continue to live in peace, stressing that dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.
The Senate Committee Chair on Diaspora and NGOs appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana to exercise restraint, avoid provocation restraint, of any sort and to resist reprisal attacks as the issue is being handled.
Senator Aniekan confirmed that he had received reports that the issue is being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
He cautioned against the use of inciteful words by individuals on both sides, as  such statements are capable of aggravating the problem and further putting pressure on an already tensed atmosphere.
Senator Bassey Aniekan, also advised Nigerians to disregard the videos trending on line that Nigerians’ shops and properties are being destroyed by Ghanaians as there is no evidence to buttress such claims.
The Chairman applauded Ghanaian and  Nigerian High  Commissioners for their efforts to control the situation, adding that the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs , has also been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and had taken some pro- active measures to put the situation under control.
Continue Reading

Latest

Politics12 hours ago

Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

By David Owei, Bayelsa Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within...

Law & Crime13 hours ago

sledgehammer on a Chief Magistrate, Shariah, Court Judge, senior Registrar others if..Niger NJC threatens Judicial workers

    By Uthman Baba- Naseer,Minna As part of measures put in place to instill discipline in the Niger State...

Oil & Gas13 hours ago

Niger Delta: Bayelsa CDC Chairman Tasks Renaissance On Improved CSR

By David Owei,Bayelsa The Community Development Committee (CDC), Chairman of Elebele Community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa...

Sports14 hours ago

Bayelsa Queens chairman hails Gov.Diri for Rewarding Team

  By David Owei,Bayelsa The chairman of Bayelsa Queens FC, Pastor Robin Angonimi Apreala has hailed Governor Douye Diri for...

Uncategorized14 hours ago

2nd Phase Leaders Complete Training on Leadership and Mediation – Gen. Elaye Lauds Otuaro’s Visionary Drive

By David Owei,Bayelsa The 2nd Phase Camp Leaders’ training on “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation”, sponsored by the Presidential...

Editorial14 hours ago

NYSC is cornerstone for national identity-Gov.Diri

  By David Owei,Bayelsa The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri has described the NYSC as the corner...

Editorial15 hours ago

Bayelsa United confirms Coach Ladan Bosso abscondment from duty …writes Secetary-General of NFF

  By Amos Okioma Management of the Bayelsa United Football Club has confirmed the abscondment of Coach Ladan Isah Bosso...

Law & Crime2 days ago

Enugu land tragedy: One killed, as victim’s mother grieves, demands son’s body

By Our Correspondent Wailing,panic,fears griped residents of Etiti Central Community, Ngwo, in Udi Local Government, Enugu State,following the assassination of...

Sports2 days ago

AKASSA’s Enduring Contribution to National Sports Development

  By Dave Ikiedei Asei In the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, the AKASSA clan played a transformative role...

Law & Crime2 days ago

Lack of official vehicles, residential accommodation hinder High Court Judges appointment 

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna The official vehicles and the residential accommodation for the judges ,are the requirements by the National Judicial...

Trending