Politics
We Are Making Progress In the Development of Bayelsa, Says Gov Diri
By David Owei, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, says his administration is making steady and impactful progress in the development of the state and still poised to break new grounds.
Governor Diri stated this through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Sunday at the Inter-denominational Church Service in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence and 29th edition of the creation of Bayelsa State at the King of Glory Chapel, Government, House, Yenagoa.
The governor who acknowledged that while the state has been modest in its growth, he expressed government’s determination to do more within available resources.
He noted that although Bayelsa was being deprived of most development enablers, especially as a state with only eight local government areas, in a country where the number of local government councils was also a determining factor for resource allocation from the federal government.
Governor Diri asserted that despite some of these challenges, the Prosperity Government remained undaunted in turning around the social economic activities
According to him, with the December deadline promised by the Diri-led administration for 24 hours power supply, the state has demonstrated its desire to move the state towards its independence from the epileptic national grid by procuring a 60 megawatts gas turbine.
Governor who announced the arrival of the turbine machines in the state, emphasized that when the turbines become functional, investors and more development opportunities would be attracted to the state.
His words “For us in Bayelsa State, our development has been modest and we are going according to the resources available to us. As you are aware, every indicator is against Bayelsa. We have just eight local government councils and you know they are used to determine development and resources.
“Despite all that, Bayelsa has continued to make progress. You are aware that the governor has been able to use the instrumentality of his doggedness to acquire 60 megawatts of gas turbine to be installed in the state and by December, we will be having 24hrs power supply.
“That is progress because once there is light there is hope. And we believe that with this development, more investors will come in. So we may not be where we ought to be but we are not where we used to be.”
Speaking on the growth of democracy in the country as it celebrates another year of independence, Governor Diri contended that for the current system of government to make meaningful progress, it must respect the rule of law and uphold the rights of citizens.
Delivering a sermon titled, “Challengers of Our Settlement,” General Stephen Odede, said the plan of God at the birth of anything is growth, but challenges have hampered the growth and progress of man.
General Odede, described Bayelsa as a great state, stressing that, no matter the size of its enemies the state and Bayelsa and its well-meaning people would always triumph.
Dignitaries present at the service were the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, (Rtd), Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who was represented by the Member representing Sagbama Constituency 2, Col Bernard Kenebai, (Rtd), the Member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, Hon. Tare Porri, and his Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1, Hon Werinipre Waripamo.
Others included Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Deputy Chief of Staff Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioners, other top government functionaries, service commanders the and Clergymen.
Highpoint of the event was the offering of intercessory prayers for the peace and progress of the state, the Niger Delta and the nation.
Politics
President Tinubu Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Seeks Renewed Mandate
By Our Correspondent
The All Progressives Congress,( APC) has flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections on Saturday in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
President Tinubu the declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, saying that it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
Politics
APC Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate. From Cyril Mbah, Abuja. The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record. Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President Tinubu said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence. Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress. He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states. The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said. Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate. Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students. He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour. Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support. Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers. Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.” Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security. Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor. He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway. Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima. He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
By our correspondent
As the 2027 election draws close, the All Progressive Congressive,(APC) on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
The President who made this declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
!
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.” Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate.
F
Politics
Sea Incursion: Senate Demands Urgent Shoreline Protection As Ayetoro Community Faces Extinction
By our correspondent
Senate on Thursday called for immediate and comprehensive shoreline protection to save Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State from being wiped out.
The call followed a motion moved on Thursday by Senator Dayo Faduyile (Ondo South) on the urgent need to save the historic coastal community from sea incursion.
Presenting the motion, Faduyile told the Senate that homes, livelihoods, cultural heritage and public infrastructure in Ayetoro are being progressively destroyed by ocean surges, with recent reports indicating that about 80 per cent of buildings in the community have been lost to the sea.
He said the destruction has devastated schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and traditional institutions, displacing thousands and disrupting fishing and other economic activities.
“Continued destruction of homes and community infrastructure has displaced families, threatened access to safe water and healthcare and put the future of the historic community in grave uncertainty,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that previous shoreline protection interventions have faced implementation challenges, including reported delays in earlier Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts, necessitating verification of project status, expenditure and outstanding obligations.
He noted that the scale of the crisis exceeds the capacity of residents and requires urgent intervention by the Federal Government, Ondo State Government, relevant development agencies and international development partners.
Faduyile added that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has indicated that substantial financial resources are required to address the crisis, underscoring the need for adequate funding, sound engineering and sustainable protection measures.
He warned that further delay may result in additional loss of lives, property and livelihoods, while exposing vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and the elderly, to worsening humanitarian and environmental conditions.
The Senate, in its resolutions, called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, the NDDC and other relevant agencies, to work with the Ondo State Government and OSOPADEC to implement an adequately funded shoreline protection programme for Ayetoro.
It also called for a transparent review of all ongoing shoreline protection contracts for the community, including their funding status, outstanding obligations and completion timelines, and for necessary remedial action to be taken.
The upper chamber urged the Federal Government to explore budgetary provisions and climate adaptation financing to support sustainable coastal protection, including construction of embankment where technically appropriate, and restoration of essential community infrastructure.
It further urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant authorities to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, safe water, healthcare and temporary shelter for residents whose homes and livelihoods are threatened.
The Senate mandated its Committees on Environment, Niger Delta Development, Ecology and Special Duties to liaise with relevant ministries and agencies on implementation and report back within four weeks.
It also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation of its resolutions and report accordingly.
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