By David Owei

Immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said the pace of development of Bayelsa has left him emotional.

Speaking at Oporoma community, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, on Monday during a grand reception in his honour, the former Vice President said he was impressed by the people-oriented projects of the Senator Douye Diri administration, stressing that the governor understood the reason for governance.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted Prof. Osinbajo as recalling his visit to the state on February 19, 2022 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama-Oporoma bridge project, saying he had his doubts when he saw that the area was a forest.

Osinbajo, however, expressed delight that Governor Diri had proved him wrong by ensuring the completion of the 630-metre bridge and the access road to Oporoma, which had been on the drawing board for over six decades.

He said by his development strides, Diri had proved that God did not make a mistake in his choice as governor and that the people of Bayelsa were happy with him.

He hailed the completion of the referral hospital in Oporoma, which he also inaugurated, saying that he was impressed that the hospital, initiated 53 years ago in 1973 but was completed by the Diri administration, was already performing surgeries.

Innagurating the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road in Yenagoa Local Government Area, the former VP described the project as impactful, saying it not only linked communities but also reduced travel time and connected communities to key federal government offices such as the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Secretariat.

While commending Diri, Osinbajo said he is a man that keeps to his words and that it was rare to find such quality within the Nigerian political space.

His words: “I am privileged to be alive and to be a part of history. This is a very special day for me; an emotional one.

“I was here for the groundbreaking (of the bridge at Angiama). At that time, it was a dream because there was no access road to one of the most prolific oil producing local government areas in the country.”

Osinbajo profusely commended the Bayelsa governor.

“I had my doubts but here we are today witnessing history. I believe that once a leader understands the reason God gave him the opportunity to serve, the people will be happy. Douye Diri has proved that God did not make a wrong choice in him. He proves every day that he is the right man for the job.

“Let me thank my brother and friend for the kind invitation to be here because it is not often that you find men and women able to keep their words in politics. He is a man a character, who keeps his promises; faithful and loyal to his friends. Any man who keeps his promises will be faithful to his people.

“I commend him for doing what he ought to do, providing facilities to make life easy for the people. I pray for the governor that the progress today is only the beginning and the Almighty God will enable you achieve more and Bayelsa will prosper.”

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri appreciated the immediate past vice president for accepting to visit the state again to inaugurate key projects executed by his administration.

He said Osinbajo loves development and the people of Bayelsa as exemplified in his readiness to always respond positively whenever he was invited.

Diri stressed that the essesence of governance is to bring happiness to the people, assuring that his administration will continue to embark on people-oriented projects.

He said the referral hospital had not only been completed but had also been fully equipped, and promised to construct the road from Oporoma to the hospital at Osokama as well as fence the hospital.

He said: “A few years ago, on February 19, 2022, as Vice President, you visited and was part of the process that marked the beginning of the Angiama bridge. Our collective prayers have been answered as that project was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10.

“Today you have graciously returned to celebrate with us. For that staedfastness and support, we are grateful. You are a true son of Bayelsa State.

“These projects you have inaugurated are important to our people. Development must be felt in our communities. For us, there is nothing like difficult terrain. This is what God has given us and it is our duty to tame it.

“Today, this government has not only completed the referral hospital, it has been equipped and ready to serve the whole of constituency 2 and 3 in Sputhern Ijaw. Your government is bringing healthcare to your doorsteps.“

Earlier at the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, remarked that the 6.72km road will create easier and shorter access to Swali and other parts of Yenagoa thereby reducing travel time.

He thanked Governor Diri for his visionary leadership and expressed optimism that Bayelsa wil witness more infrastructural development under the incumbent administration.

At Oporoma, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, said the people of Southern Ijaw were grateful to the administration for giving them access road after decades of neglect despite being one of the local governments with the highest production of crude oil in the country.

The event featured the presentation of gifts to Osinbajo and a cultural performance by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture troupe.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
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‎Emmanuel Iheakachukwu Odoemelam, Legislative Aide to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and a Ph.D candidate in Chemistry at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), has released a heartfelt birthday tribute hailing the former Abia State governor’s “selfless, sacrificial, and pragmatic leadership” as Kalu marks his 66th birthday.
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‎In a statement personally signed by the aide, Odoemelam joined millions of admirers worldwide to celebrate a leader whose impact, he said, has given meaning to countless lives across Nigeria and beyond.
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‎“The universe is a better place because men like you were born,” Odoemelam wrote. “You have created immense value across every sphere of human endeavor, and you remain equipped to do even more for humanity.”
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‎The warm tribute singled out Kalu’s rare ability to balance family life, business, politics, and philanthropy a discipline Odoemelam described as “truly exemplary” and a source of inspiration for people from all walks of life. He further praised the senator’s wisdom, interpersonal skills, and time management, noting that Kalu remains “kind, open-minded, and deeply detribalized, with a high degree of emotional intelligence.”
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‎Odoemelam, who is pursuing his doctorate in Chemistry at BUCT while serving on the senator’s legislative team, fervently prayed for Kalu’s continued health and mental acuity.
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‎“May God grant you continued good health and a sound mind, so that you may complete the work of social transformation and human upliftment that He has placed upon your shoulders,” he said. “Happy Birthday and congratulations!”
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‎Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, has remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and business. His 66th birthday has drawn similar tributes from President Tinubu, national leaders, colleagues and constituents,

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By Our Correspondent

In a bid to actualize the second term ambition of governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, thousands of supporters from Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday defied a heavy downpour at the Amankanu Development Centre, Owo, to declare their unalloyed support for the re-election of the Governor in 2027.

The supporters who surged in at the grand finale of inauguration of Ward and Local Government Coordinators of the Tomorrow is Here Movement across the 17 local government areas of the state, described their action as a clear demonstration of confidence in the governor’s performance across key sectors, saying Enugu State had never had it so good.

They said the tradition where each governor got eight years on the saddle would continue with Mbah, whom they said his achievements in less than three years were towering.

The supporters said their resolve was anchored on what they termed visible transformation in infrastructure, effective security response system, education, healthcare, human capital development as well as the robust revamping of moribund assets under the present administration.

Welcoming the crowd, the Coordinator of the Tomorrow Is Here Movement, Alhaji Friday Sani Nnaji, expressed delight at the massive turnout, noting that the it reflected people’s confidence in the governor’s leadership.

He urged them to sustain the support and ensure they obtained their Permanent Voter Cards to secure victory in 2027.

“There is no better alternative to Governor Mbah,” he said, assuring that the Movement would continue to mobilise support across the state.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, described the gathering as a consolidation of existing support rather than just an attempt to win new followers.

He noted that the administration’s projects were evident across communities, adding that the government would continue to deliver more dividends of democracy.

He expressed optimism that the governor would record even higher votes in the coming election.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chimaobi Okorie, said the scale of infrastructure development under Mbah was unprecedented, citing the construction of roads, bridges, and other critical projects.

He described the governor as “an inspirational leader whose work had earned the trust of the people,” expressing confidence that residents would overwhelmingly reciprocate his uncommon transformation of the state in 2027.

Traditional rulers also endorsed the governor’s continuity. Chairman of Nkanu East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Hyacinth Edeani, who spoke on behalf of the royal fathers, said the governor had exceeded expectations, noting that improved road networks had enhanced connectivity across communities. He called on residents to sustain their support.

“Before now, there was no road from this venue, Owo, to Ubahu, Amankanu, Neke, and Ikem. But today, a world class, virgin dual carriageway runs from here in Owo all the way to Neke with over 30 bridges and culverts, and it’s connecting our brothers from the northern senatorial district.

“Before now, we in this part of Nkanu East must go through Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South and Nkanu West LGA to be able to access our Council Headquarters at Amagunze. Today, we have a brand new Amechi Idodo to Amagunze road with three bridges,” Edeani added.

In the same vein, the Patron, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Abel Nwobodo said the people of the state had already resolved to back the governor’s re-election, describing him as a beacon of progress and hope.

Convener of G17 for Peter Mbah, Hon. Chinedu Mbah, as well as founder of Solidarity Alliance for Peter Mbah, Hon Paul Nnajiofor, stated that the governor’s achievements had set him apart, adding that all parts of the state had benefitted from his leadership.

According to them, although the governor’s re-election appeared certain, stakeholders would continue to mobilise support to ensure a resounding victory.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the council area, Hon. Sydney Edeh, said the governor had lived up to his promise to transform the state, urging continued support to enable him complete his development agenda.

Commending the Tomorrow Is Here leadership, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwuweike, said the group is known for its grassroots mobilisation, declaring that the governor’s re-election would be a walkover and that there would be no vacancy in Lion Building in 2027.

The member representing Nkanu East Constituency, Hon. Okechukwu Mbah, said he was deeply impressed by the level of development across the state, noting that the governor’s projects had significantly improved the lives of the people.

Presenting gifts to the winners of the open quizzes conducted among citizens at the rally ground, the Deputy Speaker and Vice Chairman of the Movement, Hon Ezenta Ezeani, said the mammoth crowd had challenged them from the Nsukka zone to further mobilize for the re-election of the governor, stressing that it’s going to be a competition of which local government and political bloc deliver more votes to the governor.

On his part, the Convener of the Tomorrow Is Here Movement, Hon. Tony Okonkwo, expressed appreciation for the widespread support the group had received across the state during its inauguration of coordinators.

He declared that the enthusiasm shown by the people reflected their belief in the governor’s vision and performance, adding that the movement would continue to expand its reach.

Okonkwo highlighted key achievements of the administration, including extensive road construction, establishment of smart schools, upgrading of healthcare facilities, investments in security and economic growth and the revitalization of moribund industries that have continued to provide employment.

He described the projects as innovative and far-reaching, stressing that they had set a new standard for governance in the state.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of ward coordinators of the movement, who were charged to take the message of continuity to every household.

Wheelchairs as well as scholarships were also presented to persons living with disabilities from Igboeze South Local Government Area and other beneficiaries, underscoring the movement’s commitment to inclusiveness.