By David Owei

Recent criticisms in some sections of the media over the pace and direction of development in Bayelsa State demand a serious response—not because government should be shielded from scrutiny, but because public discourse about the state must be anchored on facts, evidence and professional journalism.

The press has every right, and indeed a responsibility, to question government policies, interrogate public expenditure and demand accountability. But the responsibility of the press does not end with criticism. Journalism must also tell the complete story.

It is therefore necessary to ask: Are we reporting Bayelsa as it is, or are some commentators deliberately reporting Bayelsa only from the angle that suits their political narrative?

There is a growing tendency to reduce the development conversation in Bayelsa to what government has allegedly failed to do, while conveniently ignoring major projects either completed, ongoing or already commissioned.

For instance, the state government has reported major investments in roads and bridges, urban renewal, a 60MW gas-fired independent power project, the Angiama-Oporoma bridge and other infrastructure projects.

The 2026 budget also allocated 64.6 per cent of its expenditure to capital projects, with substantial allocations to works, education, health, sports and other development sectors.

These facts do not mean that the government should be declared beyond criticism. Far from it. They mean that criticism should be based on the whole picture.

If there are concerns about the cost of a project, journalists should investigate the contract value, procurement process, funding source, level of completion and expected public benefit.

If there are concerns about poverty and unemployment, the press should obtain and present the relevant data. If government promises have not been fulfilled, the media should ask when the promises were made, what has been delivered and what remains outstanding.
That is journalism.

What Bayelsa does not need is a situation where every development project is automatically interpreted through a political lens and every government intervention is dismissed before its impact can be objectively assessed. The same standard must apply to government.

Government must be prepared to provide figures, documents, timelines and evidence to justify its claims. It must answer legitimate questions from journalists and citizens. It must accept criticism where projects fail, promises are abandoned or public resources are not properly utilised.

But the media must equally accept its own responsibility. A journalist is not an opposition politician. A newspaper is not a political party. And criticism is not synonymous with journalism.

The credibility of the press is measured by its commitment to facts, balance, verification and the public interest.
Bayelsa is a developing state with enormous challenges arising from its difficult terrain, limited connectivity and years of infrastructure deficits.

The state therefore requires sustained development, not perpetual political warfare disguised as journalism.
There is nothing wrong with asking whether a road is worth its cost. There is nothing wrong with questioning a stadium project.

There is nothing wrong with demanding jobs, food security, better healthcare and improved education. Indeed, those questions should be asked.

But the questions must be accompanied by facts—not insinuations, selective reporting or political talking points.

Recent opposition criticisms of the Diri administration have focused on poverty, hunger, unemployment and spending priorities, including criticism of the proposed stadium project.

Those positions are legitimate subjects for reporting, but they remain political claims and should be presented as such rather than automatically treated as established facts.

Equally, claims by government about development achievements should be subjected to independent verification rather than simply reproduced as official propaganda.

That is the balance Bayelsa needs.
Our people deserve to know what government is doing, what government is not doing, what has worked, what has failed, what has been promised and what has actually been delivered.

The press must therefore rise above political camps and become the bridge between government and the governed.
We should not be afraid to criticise government. But neither should we be afraid to acknowledge development when the evidence shows it.

Bayelsa belongs to all of us. Its development should therefore be bigger than partisan politics, bigger than personalities and bigger than the interests of any political camp.
The duty of the press is to speak truth to power—but truth must remain the standard.

By George Mgbeleke

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele Thursday observed that no nation could meaningfully realise its full potential when a significant proportion of its population “is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.”

Bamidele, therefore, said inclusion of women in public governance and leadership “is never an act of favour, but indeed a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength” while emphasising the centrality of gender inclusion to the future of Nigeria and the world in the 21st century.

He made these remarks at the presentation of the book, “The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity,” held at Nigeria House, New York, United States, on Thursday, reflecting on the significance of gender inclusion in the country’s national life.

The book presentation, among others, brought together prominent dignitaries and diplomats namely the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Kayode Are and President/CEO, Montefiore Einstein.

Apart from the book presentation, Bamidele also participated in the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 designed to bring together government representatives, international investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, business leaders and strategic partners to explore viable investment opportunities across Nigeria.

Bamidele, who chaired the book presentation at the Nigeria House in the United States, noted that Nigeria’s democracy could only be strengthened when all citizens “are adequately represented in the institutions established to serve them.”

Bamidele disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, evident in the Renewed Hope Agenda, recognised that Nigeria’s development must draw on the abilities and contributions of all its citizens,

He added that President Tinubu had consistently affirmed that women and young people must not be relegated to the background in the political, economic and national life of the country.

He said this commitment “is important because meaningful inclusion goes beyond the presence of women in institutions. It requires genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to the formulation and implementation of public policy.“

“Gender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength. No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.

“Our democracy is strengthened when citizens see themselves represented in the institutions established to serve them. Our foreign relations are also enriched when Nigeria is represented by capable professionals whose knowledge, judgement and experience reflect the breadth of our national talent.”

Bamidele explained the vital role of the National Assembly in deepening gender inclusion, noting that the parliament “will continue to promote institutions that are fair, accessible and responsive through legislation, representation and oversight.”

The senate leader further emphasised that the National Assembly should help establish an environment in which competence is recognised, opportunity is broadened, and leadership is strengthened through the participation of qualified women.

“This is not a responsibility for the government alone. Political institutions, the diplomatic service, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society all have roles to play. Progress will require deliberate policies, supportive institutions and a collective willingness to recognise talent wherever it is found.

“Today’s occasion contributes to that broader national conversation. It offers leaders, diplomats, scholars and members of the public an opportunity to engage with ideas relevant to Nigeria’s ongoing development and its engagement with the international community,” Bamidele observed at the book presentation.

By Our Correspondent

An Igbo socio-cultural group, Igbo Union (Nzuko Ndi Igbo),has lauded the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, for what it described as many significant and laudable intervention projects in the state through her foundation Safe Tent Care Initiative also called Safe Haven Care Foundation.

In a press statement signed by Prince Elias Odoemena, the Convener of Igbo Union and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, the group said the Abia first lady has used her good office to touch lives of the vulnerable persons in the state, by different social intervention processes which had gone a long way to give the recipients of such interventions another lease of life, and hopes for a better tomorrow.

The group which quoted Mrs Otti to had said that her Safe Tent Care Foundation is anchored on the philosophy of three words: Community, Consistency, Collaboration, said the Abia first lady living out the basic obligations by the massive services she renders to the people of the state .

Some of these services, the group continued include but not limited to the following: Women Economic Empowerment. ‘ Mrs Otti has achieved a lot through her Ahiaoma Market Women Empowerment Programme, where she gives business support, entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and capital to market women and petty traders.

” Again, through her Thrive Business Challenge, Mrs Otti supports women to build sustainable businesses, helps with business registration and access to affordable finance. Finalists get business assets and grants, others get N50,000.”

The Igbo Union also mentioned the Skill-Up Abia Women Programme of the first lady of Abia State, where she has trained young women between the ages 15 to 35 years, for 3 months in catering, pastry, decoration. Not less than 54 beneficiaries got oven, gas burner, utensils and N200,000 grant each, the statement added.

In the area of housing and giving shelter to the poor, the group disclosed the Mrs Otti, through her Housing / Dignity Homes Project:, has built and also furnished ” 3-bedroom bungalows for indigent women and widows. Initially 25 women across 17 LGAs, now increased to 35 vulnerable women. She also built a home for the mother of a gender-based violence survivor.”

Her bonavelence also extended to fight against gender-based violence and trafficking, where her foundation is working with NAPTIP and Ministry of Women Affairs to rescue, rehabilitate, train and resettle victims of human trafficking and baby factories.

The Abia first lady also supports vulnerable groups:, especially the
widows: in the state.
” It is on record that Mrs Otti on 2026 International Widows Day, empowered 600 indigent widows with N50,000 business grant each, plus food and inclusion in skill acquisition, while in this month of September 2026, she empowered over 500 women with disabilities with N20million cheque, bags of rice and food items. She also signed MoU with NDE to train 200 women with starter packs.”

The group equally noted that the first lady also extended her reach to members of sickle cell and albinism communities in the state through her Care and Fair Outreach Day, where she gave N50,000 cash support and health insurance enrolment to members.

” Mrs Otti has also intervened in the areas of education and health: through her Flow with Confidence Sanitary Pad Initiative (with First Lady of Nigeria Remi Tinubu) – to improve menstrual hygiene for school girls.

“She has also donated educational materials and commissioned educational/healthcare projects in Abia State. During the annual August Women Meeting in the state, Mrs Otti provided skills acquisition, health sensitization, support for farmers and traders across the 17 local government areas in the state, thereby complementing her husband Alex in moving and meeting the democratic yearnings of the people of the state ”

The group called on other first ladies to emulate the great work Mrs Otti is doing in Abia state, as such emulation will translate to good governance and bring dividends of democracy in their various states.