Oloibiri: Shell remodels,equips Kolo General Hospital to commemorate oil discovery in Bayelsa

The Shell Petrol!sum Development Company (SPDC) on Tuesday inaugurated the upgared and remodelled Kolo General Hospital as part of efforts to commemorate the discovery of oil commercial quantities at Oloibiri in Bayelsa.

Speaking at the event , Mr Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of SPDC noted that Oloibiri holds a pride of place in the story and history of Nigeria's oil and gas journey and informed the conception of Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP).

"It was in Oloibiri that Shell made the nation's first commercial quantity discovery of crude oil 1958.That discovery is what has positioned Nigeria as a key player providing energy to the world,wealth to the country and abundant opportunities to the Nigerian people..

Bayelsa PDP Guber Primaries: Steer Clear of Bayelsa Politics, Ijaw Youths Warn Wike

Ijaw Youths under the auspices of Defender of Izon Nation (DIN)  on Sunday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to jettison the idea of using Gov Nyisom Wike to conduct Bayelsa guber primaries.

The DIN, an Ijaw pressure group comprising militants and non militants known in the creeks as Mangroove Boys in a statement issued in Yenagoa  said it will resist Wike’s as returning officer of the Sept 3 primaries of the PDP.

In the statement signed by Omuwari Godspower, Spokesperson of the group, the participation of Rivers Governor in the primaries would lead to unpleasant consequences as Ijaws are aggrieved with Wike’s neglect of Ijaws in Rivers.

I haven’t yet anointed any aspirant to succeed me, says Gov. Dickson

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa says he has not anointed any aspirant to succeed him for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the Nov. 16, gubernatorial polls.

The PDP had slated its party primaries for Sept. 3, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had slated the governorship elections for Kogi and Bayelsa for Nov. 16.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having called on Bayelsa people to discountenance aspirants claiming to have his endorsement.

The Governor said he would commence consultations with aspirants and critical stakeholders at the national and state levels of the PDP with the conclusion of the sale of the gubernatorial nomination forms for the next election.

Ministerial Nominations: N/Delta Youth Group applauds Buhari

The Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) on Friday applauded the nomination of credible people from the Niger Delta region as Ministers.

Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, Board of Trustee Chairman for NDYCPP who spoke in an interview in Yenagoa noted that the nominees from the region all have verifiable records of performance.

“We comment the President and congratulate Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Timipre Sylva and Mr Festus Keyamo for making the Ministerial list.

“Ex-Gov Sylva’s nomination particularly elicited commendation across party lines as incumbent Gov Dickson extended congratulations to him and this is all good for the region.

“We are optimistic that they will continue their public service efforts to bring development to the Niger Delta region as well as make meaningful contributions to the Federal Executive Council.

Bayelsa High Court Judgment on LG Polls has vindicated us BYSIEC

The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) on Thursday applauded the ruling of a Bayelsa State High Court ordering the conduct of local government elections in the state.

BYSIEC said that the judgment has vindicated the commion’s resolve to conduct local government elections in the eight local governments in Bayelsa on Aug. 10.

Reacting to the court ruling, Commissioner, Legal Services in BYSIEC, Barr. Marshal Abraham said that the decision of the court was a welcome development.

Abraham noted that the decision of the court has conferred legal competence on the commission to carry on with processes of the council elections slated for Aug. 10 emphasizing that the date remains sacrosanct.

I will use Amnesty model to tackle insecurity in Bayelsa if elected Governor—Alaibe

Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, pioneer Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty for Niger Delta militants on Thursday said he would deploy the amnesty template to tackle insecurity in Bayelsa if elected governor.

Alaibe said on Thursday that his blueprint for youth development would address the challenges of cultism and drug addiction which fuel crime amongst the youths.

He noted that his desire to join the guber race in Bayelsa was to ensure the use government platform for economic development and prosperity for the benefit of the people of the state.

He said that he will blend his private and public sector experiences to use investment capital to drive the development of infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Ministerial List: Lokpobiri Congratulates Sylva over Nomination

Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, former Minister of State for Agriculture on Tuesday congratulated Chief Timipre Sylva over his ministerial nomination to represent Bayelsa in the Federal Execution Council.

The development is sequel the transmission of the list of Ministers by President Muhamadu Buhari to the National Assembly for confirmation.

The nomination of Ex-Gov Sylva as a Minister is believed to pave way for Lokpobiri to clinch the APC ticket ahead November guber elections in Bayelsa.

Bayelsa BIR Chairman pledges to prioritize infrastructure if elected Governor

Dr. Ayawei Nimibofa the Executive Chairman of Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday said that he would prioritise provision of infrastructure if elected Governor.

Nimbofa and 14 others have purchased the expression of interest forms to contest for the governorship position on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa, Nimbofa said his governorship ambition was backed by various stakeholders, groups and individuals across the state  ahead the governorship election in Bayelsa slated for Nov. 16.

The BIR Chairman said he decided to run for the polls to consolidate on the gains of the current administration in the critical areas of infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.

He also pledged to ensure that the robust education policy of Gov Seriake Dickson led. administration is further expanded under his watch.

 According to Nimbofa, if elected, Bayelsa people will get a fair deal as he would run an all-inclusive government that would prioritize human capital development.

He further assured that a new era of progress and development has come and appealed to all to key into it.

Other aspirants who have collected the  PDP nomination forms include former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe.

Also in the race is former cabinet member in the state, Mr  Reuben Okoya and an ex-militant leader, Great Joshua MacIver.

Others are the incumbent Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd.); a businessman, Kenebi Okoko; former Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr Franklin Osaisai and Chief Benson Agadaga.

Rep. Fred Agbedi, Sen. Douye Diri, representing Bayelsa Central; Chief of Staff Government House, Mr Talford Ongolo; and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kemela Okara, have also collected nomination forms.

On the side of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, has picked the expression of interest form for N2.5 m.

The aspirants on the APC platform are expected to pay a total of N22.5 million, comprising N2.5 m for expression of interest and N20 m, for the nomination form payable to APC National Secretariate.

Each of the 15 PDP aspirants paid N1 million for the expression of interest form while an additional N20 million is paid to the PDP National Sectariate on submission.

Also expected of the aspirants is the payment of a N3 million administrative levy to be paid to the state Executive of the party.

Bayelsa governorship: Group drums support for state Board of Internal Revenue boss

A group of young professionals in Bayelsa, Ayawei Volunteers,  has thrown  its  weight behind the governorship aspiration of the Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Nimbofa Ayawei.

Mr Kuro Peri-Ockiya, the Convener of the group, in a statement issued to newsmen in Yenagoa on Thursday, said the group  preferred supporting the governorship aspiration of Ayawei  to supporting any other aspirant on the platform of the PDP.

According to Peri-Ockiya, Ayawei has capacity and disposition to the yearnings of the youths in the state.

Social Workers in Bayelsa condemn violence against women, children in Bayelsa

The Nigerian Association of Social Workers, an NGO, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest and sensitisation in Yenagoa, to draw government’s attention to the spate of violence against women and children in the state.

Members of the group were seen moving from Yenagoa-Mbiama road to the State Government House gate and terminated at the state Ministry of Women Affairs.

They were also seen displaying different banners condemning violence.

Kidnap of 5-yr-old girl in Bayelsa: Mother says baby still held after paying N1m ransom

Mrs Williams Koroye mother of a five year old girl kidnapped by an acquaintance simply identified as Ahmed on Thursday said that her baby remained in captivity after a ransom demand for N1 million was met

The toddler, Peace, was abducted in their residence at Akemfa 1 area of Yenagoa on July. 10 by a family friend to the Koroyes.

Koroye said that although the demand for N1 million ransom seemed impossible due to the financial standing of the family, public spirited members of the public contributed and raised the money but her child remained in captivity.

According to her, three days after collecting the ransom, Peace is yet to return.

Kidnap of 5-yr-old girl in Bayelsa: Suspect demands N1m ransom

A kidnap suspect, identified as Ahmed, who allegedly abducted a five-year-old girl in Yenagoa, has demanded N1 million ransom, the victim’s mother, Mrs Williams Koroye, has said.

Koroye told our Correspondent that that the girl, Peace, was abducted in their residence at Akemfa 1 on Wednesday by the suspect.
She described Ahmed as a new Christian convert and member of her church.
She, however, appealed to the suspect to release her daughter unconditionally, saying that her family could not afford the ransom.

Bayelsa Guber: PDP group kicks against endorsement of aspirants by Gov Dickson

A political group within Bayelsa chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Forward Action Bayelsa (FAB), on Monday said it would resist imposition of aspirants ahead Nov 16 governorship polls.

The Yenagoa based group described the attempts by Gov Seriake Dickson to foist a candidate on the PDP in the forthcoming Governorship election as a big joke taken too far.

The Restoration Caucus of the PDP, led by Dickson, had named only three persons as members of the caucus that had indicated interest to pick the governorship forms.

AFCON 2019 Dollar rain for Super Eagles, a case for enduring support to Nigerian football

By Lucas Xavier

As Nigerians, passionate about everything we do, we like to associate too much with success, and riding a wave of popularity. This might agonizingly be antithetical to the success we struggle to associate with or at least not sustainable. 

It’s  another African Nations Cup match for Nigeria and the news flows with frenzy. Headline, “Nigerian Billionaires Dangote and Otedola promises Super Eagles $75,000 for each goal…” I join the happy brigade in smarting at an anticipated success of our dear Eagles but…

Bayelsa Guber race: PDP aspirant, Osaisai pledges to run violence free campaigns

Dr Ftannklin Osaisai, a governorship aspirant in the November 16 governorship polls in Bayelsa on Friday said that his campaigns would be violence free as he is driven by passion for service.

The aspirant who condemned the violent politics challenged other governorship aspirants to shun violence and desperation as power comes from God.

Osaisa said that he would consolidate on the laudable and ambitious projects of linking the coastal communities to the state capital by road by completeing the road projects.

Osaisai a Nuclear Scientist who spoke in Yenagoa to supporters during the inauguration of his campaign office noted that haven committed the race to God, there was no need to resort to other means to get power.

Bayelsa Guber: Alaibe owes no apology for switching between APC, PDP says support group

Make Bayelsa Great (MBG), a political group on Friday said that Chief. Ndutimi Alaibe, owes nobody apologies for switching political parties in quest to his governorship ambitions.

 Alaibe, a founding member of Peoles Democratic Party (PDP) decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 and back to the PDP in 2019.

A rival group, Bayelsa PDP Restoration Foot-Soldiers, had on Monday demanded for an unreserved apology from Alaibe, claiming that he lacked the moral right to vie for the PDP’s ticket .

Baby girl aged 5 abducted in Akemfa 1 community, Yenagoa Bayelsa capital

A five year old baby girl was on Thursday abducted by an acquaintance to the parents simply identified as Ahmed and bolted away with the baby to an unknown destination.

The parents of the baby Mr William and Margaret Koroye reside at Akemfa 1, area Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Narrating her ordeal to our correspondent on Thursday, mother to the baby, Margaret said that she left the five year old with her siblings at home to attend a church service on Wednesday evening and returned to find her missing.

We spent N23 bn in 13 yrs on development of our host communities in Bayelsa- Shell

L-R: Government Relations Advisor, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Owei Bubuo; Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State, Ogio Ipigansi; SPDC’s Corporate Lands Manager, Trevor Akpomughe; Production Unit Manager, Bayo Balogun; and Community Interface Coordinator, Wakeel Olayiwola, at the presentation of the 2019 edition of the Shell in Nigeria Briefing Notes to the media in Yenogoa. 10//7/20019

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) on Wednesday said it has spent over N23 bn in development of its host communities in Bayelsa in the past 13 years.

Power outage in Bayelsa traced to fault on 132 KV Owerri-Yanagoa line –PHED

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) says the blackout in Bayelsa was caused by transmission constraints outside its control.

The poor power supply being experienced across Bayelsa was worsened by a total system collapse that threw the entire state in total darkness without public power supply since Thursday.

Reacting to the development, Mr John Onyi, Manager, Corporate Communications, PHED who regretted the incident said that efforts were underway by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to clear the fault.

Radio Bayelsa Fire: Workers Unions want GM to step down for investigation

SOME OFFICE FUNITURE SALVAGED BY STAFF DURING A FIRE INCIDENT AT RADIO BAYELSA,, EKEKI, YENAGOA ON JULY  2, 2019

Staff of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation on Friday urged the state government to compel the General Manager (GM) to step down to pave way for investigation of a fire incident at the station.

An early morning infernor gutted the FM station, Glory FM destroying broadcast equipment while staff on duty escaped unhurt.

Dr John Idumange, GM of the radio station had in a reaction after the fire incident attributed the fire incident to sabotage by some staff.

We remain committed to supporting the citizenry says 16 Brigade Commander

BRIG-GEN VALENTINE OKORO, COMMANDER,16 BRIGADE,NIGERIAN ARMY, YENAGOA (IN WHITE T -SHIRT LEADS OFFICERS AND MEN UNDER HIM IN SANITATION EXERCISE AT A MARKET IN YENAGOA AS PART OF BUILD UP ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE NIGERIAN ARMY DAY CELEBRATIONS 2019

The 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday restated its commitment to a cordial Civil-Military relationship and support to the Nigerian citizens in its operational area in Bayelsa.

Brig-Gen Valentine Okoro, Commander, 16 Brigade stated this during build up activities to the Nigeria Army Day slated for July 6 nationwide.

Okoro said that officers and men of the Brigade had volunteered to clean up the markets in Yenagoa as a show of support and friendship to the civilian population.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, Brig. Okoro said the exercise was part of the social responsibility of the Nigerian Army to the host communities in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.

Chevron provides 41,000 doses of drugs to de-worm priary school pupils in Bayelsa

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) on Wednesday provided some 41,000 doses of anti-worm drugs in support of ongoing massive de-worming of children in Bayelsa Primary Schools.

Speaking at the event, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager in charge of Government and Public Affairs at CNL stated that the progamme is aimed at ridding children of worms

Brikinn, who was represented by Mr Kayode Adeboye, Communications Coordinator CNL said the de-worming exercise was targeted at children between ages six and 12.

He noted that the campaign was part of Chevron’s commitment to support to health care in its operational areas and recalled that the oil firm recently concluded a progamme to prevent HIV transmission.

N/Delta group urges Buhari to Ignore critics, confirm Brambaifa as NDDC MD

Advocates for Good Governance, a Niger Delta youth grup has urged President Muhamma Buhari to confirm Prof Nelson Brambaifa as substantive MD of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Mr Briggs Lokpobiri, Coordinator of the group who made the call in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Monday noted that disgruntled elements were behing the campaign to diminish Brambaifa’s sterling performance at NDDC.

“No doubt, the ultimate aim of this sinister plot is to rob Bayelsa State its rightful opportunity to produce the next Managing Director of the Commission. 

“It is consequent on this, that we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by confirming Brambaifa as the substantive Managing Director of the Commission without further delay.