By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State has met the World Bank assessment for the supply of potable water across its capital city, Yenagoa, and environs.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Wednesday during the 196th State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.

He described the development as “good news” for Bayelsans, stating that the bank will, in collaboration with state government officials, begin mapping of Yenagoa and some neighboring communities for water infrastructure deployment.

Senator Diri noted that with ongoing efforts to achieve stable electricity and potable water supply, his administration would have delivered the basic requirements for societal growth.

His words: “We have been on this water thing with the World Bank, and Bayelsa is one of the states that has passed the hurdle of the bank.

“So the World Bank will alongside our state government officials go round the whole of Yenagoa and some neighboring places. They will deploy geo-mapping and also sensitise the people on this water supply project to Bayelsans.”

He further stated that by providing water, electricity, road infrastructure, schools and health facilities, his administration was laying a solid foundation to attract private sector investment to the state.

The Bayelsa helmsman stressed that government was not always the best businessman and advocated public-private partnership as the way forward for industrialising the state.

He called on Bayelsans to take advantage of the foundation being laid by his administration, adding that outsiders might see the economic opportunities in the state before them.

“Investments do not hang in the air. We have seen how some other some past governors made certain investments but those investments are now a shadow of themselves. I believe every economy is mostly private sector driven,” Diri said.

“Sometimes we may not even see the opportunities as Bayelsans. It is outsiders that see them before our people. So let us open our eyes to the opportunities for economic growth.”

During the meeting, the governor received an Award of Excellence for Disability Inclusion presented by the Commissioner for Women, Child Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Joanna Gigi.

According to the commissioner, the recognition from Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) was for the governor’s commitment to disability inclusion, particularly his assent to the Persons Living with Disabilities Law 2026, which she described as a significant milestone for the state.

The PLWDs also acknowledged the administration’s efforts under the Assured Prosperity Agenda, which saw to the appointment of 40 persons with disabilities into government positions, and the employment of over 20 physically challenged persons into the state civil service.

By David Owei

The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Oxbow Marino Deck has taken the ‘Back-to School’s campaign to secondary schools in Bayelsà State to promote education, literacy, academic excellence and a sustainable reading culture among secondary school students, while providing essential educational materials to support their academic development.

The campaign which was kick-started at the Tarakiri Community Secondary School, Ayama-Ijaw, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is an
initiative also sought to establish a sustainable platform through the creation of a Reading Club within the school, thereby ensuring that the impact of the intervention extends beyond the project day.

The Cap’n of Oxbow Marino Deck, Arch. Timiebi Binafeigha, who led a delegation of members of the National Association of Seadogs, to the Tarakiri Community Secondary School,explained the purpose of the Deck’s visit to the school, stating that the intervention was a pilot project being launched at Tarakiri Community Secondary School, with the intention of replicating and expanding similar initiatives in other schools and communities in the future.

He encouraged the students to take the programme seriously and make effective use of the educational materials being provided.

The Cap’n of Oxbow Marino Deck, Arch. Timiebi Binafeigha, who led a delegation of members of the National Association of Seadogs had earlier feature on the state owned Radio Station 97.1 FM Radio Bayelsà on its advocacy effort to promote the Back-to-School campaign.

Also speaking, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Mathew Ebitei, encouraged the students to pay close attention to the reading culture advocacy and to take advantage of the knowledge and opportunities provided through the project.

She expressed her appreciation to the members of the National Association of Seadogs, Oxbow Marino Deck, for choosing Tarakiri Community Secondary School for the intervention.

The Advocacy session, which was delivered by the renowned author and educationist, Madam Annete David-West on the theme“The Importance of Reading, Literacy, Academic Excellence and Personal Development.” emphasized the critical role of reading in academic success, intellectual development, character formation and personal growth.

The students were encouraged to cultivate reading as a daily habit, broaden their knowledge beyond classroom lessons and develop the discipline required to achieve academic excellence.

The advocacy also highlighted the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and personal development.

A major component of the project was the establishment and inauguration of the Tarakiri Community Secondary School Reading Club with the appointment of the English Teacher of the school, Mrs. Faith Orubo as the Matron/Coordinator of the Reading Club.

New members of the Reading Club were formally inducted, with students encouraged to participate actively in the club’s activities and make reading an integral part of their academic and personal development.

The students were further encouraged to take their studies seriously and to see education as an important pathway to achieving their future aspirations.

Miss Havila Ebimere Binafeigha participated in the reading session, demonstrating the importance of reading and encouraging students to develop confidence and interest in reading.

Approximately ten (10) books were subsequently donated to the newly inaugurated Reading Club to provide students with additional reading resources and support the sustainability of the initiative.

The detailed presentation of the educational intervention was made by the 2nd Mate of Oxbow Marino Deck, Mr. Oti Premobowei and educational materials were presented to students across the SS1, SS2 and SS3 classes.

The items included School bags;
Five (5) branded exercise books per beneficiary; English Language textbooks; Mathematics textbooks;
Social Studies textbooks; and
Other educational materials.

Students in JS3 were also included in the intervention and received school bags and exercise books.

The inclusion of students across different classes was intended to ensure broader participation and impact.

In recognition of the importance of personal hygiene to the overall wellbeing and academic participation of students, NIVEA roll-ons were also distributed to participants, including the teachers.

This component complemented the educational intervention by promoting good personal hygiene and encouraging students to maintain healthy personal habits.

By our correspondent

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, was in Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana, where he urged youth to key into the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage.

He made the remarks as a Guest of Honour at the World Hausa Day 2026 celebration organised by Hausa Youth Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House, Accra, at the weekend.

He commended Hausa Youth Ghana for promoting the Hausa language, culture and heritage, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.

He was accompanied by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy President of the Senate described World Hausa Day as an important platform for celebrating the rich heritage, language, culture and identity of the Hausa people, while promoting friendship, unity and mutual understanding among communities.

He noted that Hausa is much more than a means of communication, stressing that the language has, for centuries, served as a bridge among people across West Africa and played significant roles in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature, traditional institutions and social interaction.

According to him, the widespread use of Hausa across national borders reflects the deep historical, cultural and social connections that exist among Africans.

“Ghana and Nigeria share a long history of interaction in trade, education, migration, culture and diplomacy. The Hausa community in Ghana has also continued to make meaningful contributions to the social and economic development of the country while preserving its cultural heritage,” he said.

Senator Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stressed that the continued survival of the Hausa language depends largely on its transmission from one generation to another, urging young people to take the lead in preserving, promoting and modernising the language.

He challenged Hausa youth in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage and channel it towards building a better future.

He urged them to pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, establish businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to the communities in which they live.

In a significant gesture towards supporting education and the preservation of the Hausa language, Senator Barau awarded scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study Hausa Language at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in Nigerian universities.

He also extended warm greetings to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana, reaffirming the importance of the enduring friendship and strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria.