Yuletide: Ex-TUC president distributes cash, foodstuffs to 600 women in Edo

Former Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Mr Peter Esele on Sunday distributed foodstuffs and undisclosed cash to 600 women in Ohordua near Ubiaja in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo.

Speaking on the occasion, Esele noted that the burden of raising families was an excruciating pain in the absence their breadwinners.

He said the distribution of the items and cash was a demonstration of his willingness to identify with the widows and in share their burden in the spirit of the Yuletide.

He explained that women’s empowerment had become an annual event coupled with award of bursaries to students of tertiary institutions.

Rape trial of Ex Bayelsa Security Adviser: Bayelsa Chief Judge declines request to transfer case

Justice Kate Abiri, Chief Judge of Bayelsa has declined an application to have the rape trial of Chief Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva to another judge.

It would be recalled that the ongoing trial of Kpodo, charged for rape of a 26 year old cashier in Kpodo’s hotel was on October 31 halted following an application by the accused to the Chief Judge.

The trial judge, Justice I Eradiri had in a reaction to the development ruled that the case is adjourned indefinitely to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Bayelsa.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, trial judge Justice Eradiri informed parties to the case that the Chief Judge had declined the request of the accused.

Bayelsa Journalists, Lawyers in novelty swimming contest to strengthen ties

The novelty swimming contest between Sagbama Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is aimed at strengthening ties of friendship amongst professional in the state.

Chairman of the Bayelsa council of the NUJ, Mr Samuel Numonengi, stated this while making remarks at the contest held in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

The event was part of the activities lined up to mark the 2018 end of year NBA. 

Atiku/Obi will build a stronger, virile Nation.... PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Alh Atiku Abubakar and the Mr Peter Obi joint ticket as a rescue team that would build a stronger and virile new Nigeria if elected.

The Edo PDP Chairman, Mr Dan Orbih, said this on Monday in Benin, at the flag-off of the Edo South senatorial campaigns ahead the 2019 general elections.

NAF committed to upgrading personnel knowledge, says commander

 Cross Section of Participants at the Fourth quarter 2018 Training WORKSHOP at the Headquarters Nigeria air Force Mobility Command, YENAGOA Bayelsa.

Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Napoleon Bali, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Yenagoa, says NAF is committed to  equipping its personnel with the right knowledge for quality service delivery.

Bali said this at a training workshop on Staff Duties for  some officers and men of the command to boost operational efficiency.

Disaster averted , 4 injured as petrol laden tanker collides with tricycle in Yenagoa

Four persons have been critically injured in a ghastly motor accident involving a tanker laden with petrol and four commercial tricycles, known in local parlance as Keke and a Toyota Hilux Van.

The  incident happened on Sunday morning along Akenpai, a suburb in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

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The accident, according to resident who witnessed it, the accident occurred around 10:40am, when the tanker laden with premium motor spirit failed brake, lost control and hit a tricycle at its front.

KEFFES Foundation inaugurates N 241 m projects in Chevron’s host communities in Bayelsa

KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (RDF) on Saturday inaugurated some 20 projects in eight communities hosting the operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Bayelsa.

It was learnt that the 20 projects were implemented at a total cost of N241.43 million over the last two years.

KEFFES, is an acronym for eight Chevron host communities in Bayelsa comprising Koluama 1 & 2, Ezetu 1 & 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni and Sangana located along the Atlantic coastline within Bayelsa.

 Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Koluama 1, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), Mr Mathew Sele-Epri Chairman of KEFFES RDF said that the projects were financed by Chevron.

Whistle blowers’ charged for conspiracy to rob Gov Dickson to remain in prison

Five suspects who are being tried by Bayelsa Government for conspiracy to rob Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa at his country home would remain in prison custody till January 31, 2019.

The development followed an adjournment of the trial by Justice E.T Okara after cross examination of prosecution witness by the defense counsels, Julius Eyokoragha and Stanley Damabide.

The five accused persons including a brother to the Artourney-General of Bayelsa Kemasuode Wodu standing trial had been in prison custody since they were arrested in May 2018.

It will be recalled that the accused had earlier told the court that they merely contemplated blow the whistle to disclose a location at Dickson’s home at Toru Orua in Sagbama Local Government where cash was being stashed.

Dutch Ambassador visits Shell’s Host community at Ikarama, Kalaba in Bayelsa pledges to mend fences

The Dutch Ambassador Mr Robert Petri on Tuesday visited Ikarama and Kalabar communities in Bayelsa hosting oilfields operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The Envoy pledged to mediate and improve the relations between the oil community and the Dutch oil firm Royal Shell, parent company of SPDC over pollutions and neglect of social obligations

The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Chelsey Buurman, Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Abuja.

Bayelsa advocates upward review of revenue to states, devolution of powers

Bayelsa government has advocated the need for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), to allocate more revenues to states.

The government justified its position that states required more funds more than the Federal Government to enable them tackle development challenges.

The state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) stated this when members of the Commission led by Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Sokoto paid him a courtesy visit in Government  House, Yenagoa.

2019, Niger Delta Youth Groups Backs Gov Udom for second term.

Youth groups in the oil rich Niger Delta have declared their solidarity with the PDP led Government under Deacon Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State.

 The groups recently converged in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in an emergency stakeholders meeting to discuss on the position of the youth leaders in the region ahead of 2019.

 The meeting was attended by over 100 youth groups and agreed to work together under the umbrella of United Niger Delta Youths For Udom Emmanuel.

World Assembly of Youth honours WOTCLEF Founder Titi Abubakar, NAPTP DG

The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) recently honoured  Director General of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Barr Julie Okar-Donli and the founder and Chairperson Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), Hajia Titi Abubakar for her pioneering role in advocating against human trafficking.

Comrade Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of WAY who presented the award on Behalf of the organisation tagged “AFRICA YOUTH DAY COMMEMORATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE” applauded Abubakar whose WOTCLET culminated to the establishment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

It will be recalled that the award was presented to Abubaka on November 2 at WOTCLEF Headquarters, Gwarimpa area of Abuja.while the NAPTIP boss was honoured at the agency’s headquarters in Wuse Area of Abuja on November 1.