Flood: Bayelsa shuts schools commences distribution of N50m relief materials to 150,000 victims

The Bayelsa Government has announced immediate closure of all schools in the state as a precautionary measure to avoid loss of lives in the current flooding in the state.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday said that some 150,000 people have been displayed by the ongoing flood following rising water levels.

Mr Yakubu Suleiman, Cordinator at NEMA’s Rivers/Bayelsa territory said on Sunday in Yenagoa that the agency arrived at the figure after evaluation of the flood situation across the eight council areas.

The Commissioner for  Information, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said in a statement that the decision to temporarily close schools was reached at the State Executive Council meeting on Friday.

NGO pledges to stamp out sexual for grades in tertiary institution

A Non-Government Organisation (NGO), SOFADONDO on Thursday announced plans to fight the scourge of Sex for Grade in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

SOFANDONDO in a  statement issued in Yenagoa demanded that “The scourge of Sex for Grades/Grades for Sex must stop” .

The group in the statement signed by its convener, Dr Albert Obiozo said its membership comprising of Nigerian professionals are concerned about the increasing wave of sex for grades in virtually all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

 According to the group the adverse effect of the menace results to decline in education standards and mass number of half-baked graduates in the society.

Bayelsa to spend N8 bn out of N24.16bn Paris Club refunds on outstanding salaries, pensions

The Bayelsa government has that it would charnel N8 billion out of the N24 bn Paris Club debts refunds to offset two out of outstanding three months salary liability to its workforce.

Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner for Information who announced the receipt of N24.16 billion from the Paris Club debt refund in a statement on Tuesday, put the debt stock of the state at N123 bn.

Iworiso-Markson was however silent on how the state intends to spend the remaining balance of the N24 bn after the N8 bn on salary and pensions.

Ex Bayelsa Security Adviser’s Rape Trial: Victim, Doctor testify in court

The victim in the alleged rape trial of chief Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa on Friday testified before a Bayelsa High Court.

The 26 year old (name withheld) testified alongside her Uncle and a medical doctor who examined her on June 9 after she was allegedly raped the previous day.

It would be recalled that Kpodo, was on July 31, 2018 arranged for alleged rape at State High Court 7 in Yenagoa.

Shell says 610,000 people in Niger Delta benefit from its ‘Health in Motion’ scheme

The shell Petroleum Development company (SPDC) on Wednesday said that more than 610,000 people in Niger Delta have benefitted from its health interventions in the past eight years.

Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, External Relations at SPDC stated this at the opening ceremony of a Community Healthcare Programme at Onopa in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Weli, who was represented by Mr Wakil Layiwola, a Manager at the External Relations Department of SPDC noted that the oil firm prioritises healthcare as a healthy population is critical to a productive workforce.

He said that the programme takes quality free healthcare services to the doorsteps of benefiting communities where it operates.

More than one thousand persons comprising children, women and adults have so far received medical attention in the 3 day event.

“The Community Care Programme was introduced over a decade ago in the Niger Delta and has since reached thousands of people across Nigeria with its free medical health component tagged ‘Health-in-Motion’. 

“In the last eight years alone, over 610,000 persons have benefited from this programme. We are here today to extend the same health care to the good people of Onopa.

“Onopa community is host to SPDC’s Gbaran W/6 location and their support has enabled SPDC to commence work-over activities that will restore facility integrity and production, towards additional oil and gas volumes in Bayelsa.

“What distinguishes the SPDC’s Health-in-Motion programme and makes is the onsite presence of doctors supported by a wide range of interventions, preventive and curative health services that are brought directly to recipients.

“We are passionate about health and safety and remain committed to extending this to the people in the communities where we operate.

“We uphold a maxim of ‘we care’ in our business and believe that healthy citizenry leads to a productive population that strengthens the economy and wealth of a nation,” Weli said.

Speaking at the event, Chief Samuel Morrison, Paramount Ruler in Onopa settlement applauded the oil firm for the intervention and urged SPDC to equip the Onopa Health Centre build by the Bayelsa government.

The monarch regretted that beyond the construction of the building, there were neither equipment nor personnel at the health centre, urging the Bayelsa Ministry of Health to deploy health workers to Onopa.

Dr Ongowari Torunana who represented the Commissioner of Health, Prof Ebitimi.Etebu pledged to table the request for health personnel before the Health Ministry.

Mrs Jane Dou, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude and satisfaction and noted that the distribution of insecticide treated nets in the settlement behind the Epie creek would keep malaria at bay.

“We were screened for cervical/breast cancers, including cryotherapy treatments, and blood pressure, blood sugar levels and heart diseases.

“Dental care and eye tests including reading glasses and drugs were dispensed as required while laboratory testing for HIV and malaria, as well as treatment of chronic and minor ailments are available,” Dou said.

  

Flood victims along Epie creek in Yenagoa groan, appeal for assistance

Residents along the Epie creek in Yenagoa on Wednesday lamented the impact of flooding caused by the overflow of the waters from Taylor creek, tributaries of Orashi and Niger rivers.

Our Correspondent who visited the river side settlements quotes the residents as saying that the water levels rose above tolerable limits on Tuesday.

Joy Elvis, a resident at Onopa area in Yeagoa said that the people were helpless as the assistance pledged by the state government in its sensitisation messages were not in sight.

“It has not been easy, the water levels have been on the increase and it is usually expected at this time of the year, but on Tuesday the flood entered our houses and we have been under pressure.

Nwodo brokers peace in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Bayelsa chapter

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has resolved the lingering leadership crisis in the Bayelsa chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, ending many years of bikering and leadership tossle.

The protracted leadership crisis had factionalised the socio-cultural group in the area.

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, South-South Coordinator of Ohanaeze Youth Wing, said in Yenagoa that Nwodo had summoned the feuding factions and mended fences among them.

Arthur-Ugwa applauded Nwodo for his fatherly role by listening to the grievances of the two factions and brokered peace, to pave way for the election of a new executive.

Peace Corps Bill: Bayelsa Commandant appeals to Buhari to approve takeoff

 Mr Patriot Ogomah, State Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria in Bayelsa says he remains hopeful that President Muhammadu Buhari would heed appeals and accent the Peace Corps bill. 

It would be recalled that President Buhari had on February 27 declined assent on Nigerian Peace Corps establishment bill , citing paucity of funds and duplication of duties of existing security agencies as main reasons.

Police raid on clark’s residence: Ohaneze Youths urge IGP go beyond apology to build public confidence

Ohanaeze Youth Wing (OYW) has urged the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris to go beyond the apology over the illegal raid on the residence of elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark..

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, Coordinator of OYW who made the call in an interview session on Saturday in Yenagoa noted that the apology to Clark was a welcome development.

The Police raided Clark’s house following a false information given by an unidentified taxi cab driver, who claimed the Ijaw national leader was gun-running.

Idris has since denied authorising the raid by some police inspectors now dismissed for carrying out an illegal order.

NCC restates commitment to protecting telecoms subscribers from rip off by operators

 Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on Thursday restated its commitment to protection of telecommunications services by telecommunication firms operating in the country.

NCC made the pledge at its t 98th Consumer Outreach Programme held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Alhaji. Ismail Adedigba, Deputy Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC noted that the event was to provide telecom consumers with necessary tools to protect them from market exploitation and fraud.

Adedigba, said the NCC through its regulatory mandate ensures that the consumer is the "King" as such must be accorded their rights which include the right to be heard, right to be educated, right to choose, right to

Safety.

Ijaw Youth leader, Eradiri urges Niger Delta people to seek political offices, joins House of Reps race

 Ex-President, Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, says that the only solution to Niger Delta problem is for the people of the region to begin to move from street agitations to taking political powers.

Eradiri stated this on Saturday shortly after submitting his Expression of Interest Form at the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The ex-IYC leader wants to represent Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Constituency, Bayelsa , in the House of Representatives. 

"So far so good, I have just started the process of taking  leadership. As a young man, I wouldn't have been participating in the struggles for justice in the Niger Delta and then when it is time for leadership, I will be sitting by the corner.